Observers: Constitutional changes will strengthen democracy, historical memory in Belarus

Chairman of the Committee on Legislation and Local Self-Government of Bryansk Oblast Duma Sergey Kurdenko emphasized that the observation mission had no purpose of studying the Constitution and the proposed amendments and additions to it. “Our goal was to see that the electoral process was conducted in accordance with the current national legislation. Here we have fulfilled our mission. Whether the proposed amendments will be the Constitution of the future will be determined by the Belarusian people themselves given their turnout and voting results,” he said.

Meanwhile, international observers showed interest in the constitutional amendments submitted to the referendum. Khalmurat Rashidov, head of the mission, Deputy Director of the Department of Humanitarian Cooperation, General Political and Social Problems of the CIS Executive Committee, said: “The redistribution of presidential powers further deepens the democratic changes in the Republic of Belarus. I think this is one of the main points”.

According to representatives of Russia's Bryansk Oblast, the new Constitution of Belarus increases the similarity of the electoral systems of the two countries. For example, the Single Voting Day was introduced in Russia first, and now in Belarus.

“A very important point is our common historical memory and patriotism, which are now introduced in the Constitution of Belarus. We are kin states, and we were affected by the Great Patriotic War. It is clear that fostering patriotism in young people is one of the fundamental elements. It is important in any state of the modern world,” said Andrei Kazorin, acting head of the Department of Internal Policy of Bryansk Oblast.

Maksim Gudov, head of the Regional Policy Department of the Department of Internal Politics of Bryansk Oblast, said: “It is important that our countries to stay together, always”.