Lukashenko in favor of moving forward, changes, new Constitution

It is inadmissible to freeze the situation in the country lest stagnation happens. It is necessary to move forward and implement changes but only within the limits of the law. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during a ceremony held on 20 August to present state awards to representatives of defense, security, and law enforcement agencies, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I would like to draw your attention to one circumstance. Some people in your environment, in police, in the Armed Forces, fail to understand why the president needs this referendum and the refreshed Constitution after all and say there is no need to do it. They don't put it like that but I can say it more expressively. Guys, no! We cannot act like that. First of all, we've made a promise. Second, you have to remember their slogans [opposition's]: ‘Changes, changes, changes'. And we said: yes, changes are necessary.”

The head of state went on saying: “And they are truly necessary. We cannot freeze the situation in the country lest Brezhnev's times will be repeated. Young people don't remember it but we, the older generation, remember that period of stagnation well. This is why movement forward is necessary, changes are necessary. And then we said: yes, they are necessary but these changes have to be legal. If we have to move towards changes, we have to start with the Constitution.”