President of Belarus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Belarus
Presidential standard
Incumbent Alexander Lukashenko since 20 July 1994
Presidential Administration of Belarus
Style	Mr President (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Residence	Independence Palace, Minsk (ceremonial) Presidential Residence, Minsk (residential)
Appointer	Popular vote
Term length	5 years, renewable
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Belarus
Precursor	Chairman of the Supreme Council
Formation	20 July 1994; 30 years ago (1994-07-20)
First holder	Alexander Lukashenko
Deputy	Prime Minister
Salary	~84,000 Belarusian rubles/US$33,600, annually

The President of the Republic of Belarus is the main leader of Belarus. This important job was created in 1994. It happened when the Constitution of Belarus was approved.

Before 1994, the leader was called the Chairman of the Supreme Council. The president's duties include managing the country's plans both inside Belarus and with other countries. They also protect the rights of citizens. The president acts as Belarus's main representative to the world. The Constitution explains all the president's duties.

A president serves for five years. However, a vote in 1996 changed the election schedule. The 1994 Constitution first limited presidents to two terms. But a change in 2004 removed these limits. In 2022, a new rule brought back the two-term limit. This rule only applies to presidents elected after 2022.

Elections for president have been held many times. Alexander Lukashenko has been the only president since 1994. The main office for the president is in the Palace of the Republic in Minsk. The president's home is in Zaslawye, near Minsk.

History of the Presidency in Belarus

Belarus first became independent in 1918. It was called the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Its leader was the president of a temporary government. Later, the Soviet Red Army took control. The government went into exile.

Belarus became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. From 1991 to 1994, the chairman of the Supreme Soviet was the head of state. The prime minister led the government. When the president's job was created in 1994, the prime minister's role changed. The Supreme Soviet was also dissolved in 1996.

In the first presidential election, Alexander Lukashenko won. He became the first president. He has won every election since then.

What the President Does

Article 79 of the Constitution of Belarus says the president is the head of state. This means they are the country's top leader. The president also protects the Constitution and the rights of people in Belarus. They represent Belarus to other countries and international groups. The president also works to keep the country safe and stable. They help different parts of the government work together.

While in office, the president cannot be a formal member of a political party.

Who Can Be President?

To become president, a person must meet certain rules. They must be a Belarusian citizen from birth. They must be at least 35 years old. They also need to have lived in Belarus for ten years. Finally, they must be able to vote legally. These rules are in Article 80 of the Constitution.

How a President is Chosen

Presidential elections happen every five years. People across the country vote. To become a candidate, a person needs a group of at least 100 citizens. This group must register with the Central Elections Commission. This must happen at least 85 days before the election.

If registered, the candidate must collect 100,000 valid signatures. These signatures come from eligible voters. If enough signatures are collected, the candidate is officially allowed to run.

People vote using secret ballots. An election is valid if more than 50% of registered voters cast a ballot. In the first round of voting, if a candidate gets more than 50% of the votes, they win. They become the President-elect. If no one gets enough votes, there is a second round. The top two candidates from the first round compete again. The person with the most votes in the second round wins.

If the president's job becomes empty, a new election must happen. This election must be held within 30 to 70 days. Normally, elections happen in the last two months of the current president's term. The House of Representatives is the group that calls for elections.

President's Powers and Duties

Articles 84 and 85 of the Constitution list the president's official duties. These include political, social, and national defense tasks. The president can also use other powers given by law or the Constitution.

The president can call for national votes (referendums). They can also call for regular elections for the House of Representatives and other local groups. The president can even dissolve, or close, both parts of the Parliament. It is their job to appoint the prime minister. They also decide how the government will be set up. The president signs new laws. They can also reject a law, sending it back to the House of Representatives. They appoint and can remove deputy prime ministers and other government members. They also decide if the government or its members resign.

The president appoints the head of the Supreme Court. They can also remove this person and other judges. The president gives yearly speeches to the Parliament. They can also attend Parliament meetings. If there is a strike, the president can stop it for up to three months. In international matters, the president leads talks and signs treaties. They also appoint and recall Belarus's ambassadors to other countries.

The president is also a social leader in Belarus. They give speeches to citizens several times a year. They can create new national holidays. The president is in charge of granting Belarusian citizenship. They can also give state awards to special people. The president can decide if people seeking safety can stay in Belarus. They can also pardon, or forgive, convicted citizens.

Shoulder straps of the Supreme Commander of the Republic of Belarus

The president is the supreme commander-in-chief of the Belarusian Armed Forces. This means they lead the military. Their job is to protect Belarus from threats. The president can declare a state of emergency if there are natural disasters or violence. If this happens, the Council of the Republic must be told. They must approve the decision within three days. The same rules apply if the president declares martial law during a possible war. The president must also form and lead the Security Council of Belarus. They can appoint and remove its state secretary and military leaders.

Taking the Oath of Office

Before becoming president, a person must take an oath. This must happen within two months after the election results are final. The oath says:

Assuming the office of President of the Republic of Belarus, I solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of the Republic of Belarus, to respect and safeguard the rights and liberties of man and citizen, to abide by and protect the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, and to discharge strictly and conscientiously the lofty duties that have been bestowed upon me.

Many important people attend the ceremony. These include members of the National Assembly, government ministers, and judges. After the oath, the new president officially takes over all powers. The oath's words are in Article 83 of the Constitution.

How a President Can Leave Office

Articles 87 to 89 of the Constitution explain how a president might leave office before their term ends. The president can resign at any time. They send a letter to the House of Representatives, which accepts it.

A president can also be removed if their health prevents them from doing their job. For this to happen, two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic must agree. A special committee checks the president's health first.

If the president commits a serious crime, like treason, they can also be removed. One-third of the House must formally accuse the president. The Council of the Republic then investigates these accusations. To remove the president, two-thirds of the Council must vote to convict them. The case is then sent to the Supreme Court for review. These actions must happen within one month after the decision is made.

Presidential Buildings and Symbols

The Presidential Palace

Independence Palace

Under Article 79 of the Constitution, the president cannot be arrested. The only exception is for serious crimes like treason. Also, national law protects the president's honor and dignity. It is illegal to spread false information about the president in the news.

The Presidential Palace is in Minsk. It is a large building on October Square. Streets near the palace are closed to cars and guarded by police. This palace has been used since 1994. It used to be the main office for the Communist Party. The president also uses the Independence Palace in Minsk.

The main symbol of the president is the flag of the president of Belarus. This flag has been used since March 27, 1997. It was made official by a decree signed by President Lukashenko.

The flag looks like the national flag. It has the Belarusian national emblem in gold. The president's flag is almost square, with a ratio of 5:6. It has a golden border. There are several copies of the flag. The original is kept in the president's office. Other copies are used on buildings, homes, and vehicles to show the president is there.

President of Belarus (1994–present)

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Term of office			Political party		Elected
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Alexander Lukashenko (born 1954)	20 July 1994	Incumbent	30 years, 335 days		Independent (close to Belaya Rus)	1994 2001 2006 2010 2015 2020 2025

In the 2020 election, Lukashenko was re-elected for his sixth term.

See also

In Spanish: Presidente de Bielorrusia para niños

• List of national leaders of Belarus
• Academy of Public Administration
• Presidential Administration of Belarus
• Chief of Staff to the President of Belarus