Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Lukashenka wants new-look cabinet to stay after presidential election

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Lukashenka wants new-look cabinet to stay after presidential election
Photo by president.gov.by
Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on Friday that he wanted the new-look cabinet to stay after the next presidential election.

Speaking at a meeting with a group of newly appointed top officials, Mr. Lukashenka shrugged off speculation that he would form a new cabinet after the election, according to the presidential press office.

"Trust me, while appointing you and others I'm not thinking that you will last until the election and we will replace all of you afterward," he said. "This is utter nonsense. On the contrary, I want you to continue working after the election and after I go. You are a new generation of leaders."

Mr. Lukashenka stressed that new blood had to be injected into the government regularly to avoid "stagnation." "Stagnation in the economy, society begins with stagnation in human resources management," he said. "That's why it's quite natural that you - the current generation of leaders - are 20 to 25 years our junior. This is normal. We cannot bring in even younger ones as they will lack experience."

Mr. Lukashenka said that the "new generation" of top government officials would be responsible for steering the country. "I want you to show your professionalism before the election, so that people realize that you are up to the job. And if we head into the election together, that will be a plus for me," he said.

The head of state warned that the new officials would be replaced "if there is no result" and "if you violate a leader's moral principles, which will never be acceptable in our society." He urged them to be fair, warning that the "Belarusians will never tolerate injustice."

Earlier this month, Mr. Lukashenka named Syarhey Rumas as prime minister and appointed four new deputy prime ministers and three new ministers. On August 31, he appointed Maksim Yermalovich as finance minister and Viktar Karankevich as energy minister.

The next presidential election is to take place on August 30, 2020 at the latest.