President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has signed the law "On the All-Belarusian People's Assembly," the press service of the Head of State informed BELTA.
The purpose of the document is to implement the constitutional norms on the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, to establish its legal status as the supreme representative body of people's power, and to define the procedure for the formation and activities of the Assembly.
Delegates to the All-Belarusian People's Assembly include the Head of State, a President who has ceased to exercise his powers, representatives of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, local councils of deputies, as well as civil society.
The Assembly is not entitled to substitute for other state bodies, perform their functions, or interfere in their activities.
The competence of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly is defined in accordance with the Constitution, including powers to make decisions:
on approving documents of paramount importance for the country (main directions of domestic and foreign policy, military doctrine, national security concept, socio-economic development program);
on submitting proposals to the President for holding a republican referendum;
on the legitimacy of elections of the President, deputies of the House of Representatives, and members of the Council of the Republic;
on the removal of the President from office in case of gross violation of the Constitution or commission of a grave crime;
on the election of judges of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, members of the Central Election Commission, and their dismissal from office;
on establishing holidays, public holidays, and memorable dates;
on the introduction of a state of emergency or martial law;
on the possibility of sending military personnel outside the country to participate in activities to maintain international peace and security.
The scope of the Assembly's powers implies a special nature of its decisions. Decisions of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly are adopted by a majority of the full membership, are binding, and can repeal legal acts and other decisions of state bodies that contradict national security interests.