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MINSK — Belarusian authorities have stepped up work on a new version of the country’s constitution, with a presidential working group and the Constitutional Commission continuing to refine and review a draft that officials say will guide the nation’s political and social development. The draft, prepared by the Constitutional Commission and examined by a presidential working group, has been formally presented to President Aleksandr Lukashenko as part of a process that officials describe as wide-ranging and consultative.
Drafting process and institutional players
The drafting process has involved multiple layers of the Belarusian state. The Constitutional Commission produced the draft text, which was then scrutinized by a working group established by the presidential administration. Meetings combining the Constitutional Commission and the working group have been held to finalize language and structure before any further steps. Officials say the working group continues to fine-tune provisions even after formally submitting material to the president.
President Lukashenko has publicly framed the updated Basic Law as the foundation for a “people’s state,” saying the new or amended constitution will strengthen institutions such as family support systems, healthcare, education, and the country’s overall resilience. State press coverage emphasizes that the document reflects input from broad public consultations and official discussions. BELTA
What’s in the draft (official framing)
State reporting and presidential statements describe the draft as an “updated Basic Law” intended to set long-term strategic priorities — from social policy to national security — and to codify new or re-emphasized institutions such as the Belarusian People’s Congress, which the constitution text assigns a strategic role in protecting sovereignty. The authorities portray the draft as strengthening social protections and the state’s capacity to respond to external threats.
Timeline and next steps
According to official timelines used during the last major constitutional cycle, the working group first published drafts for public discussion and reported iterative review sessions with the president and the Constitutional Commission. The process has typically included: drafting, working-group review, publication for public discussion, refinement by the Constitutional Commission, and then submission to state bodies for possible referendum consideration. Officials have not announced a final referendum date at this stage.
International and expert scrutiny
European and international legal bodies have monitored Belarus’s constitutional process. A detailed opinion by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission reviewed earlier stages of the process and documented concerns about the composition and transparency of drafting bodies, public participation methods, and the broader political environment in which the reforms are proposed. The Venice Commission’s analysis noted that a working group established by the presidency played a key role and recommended stronger guarantees for pluralistic participation and independent review. Venice Commission
Independent observers and human-rights organizations have repeatedly warned that, despite official claims of consultation, the political context in Belarus — including restrictions on independent media, the jailing or exile of major opposition figures since 2020, and limits on civil society — complicates the notion of genuinely free public debate over constitutional change. Those concerns have been raised alongside official state narratives emphasizing stability and social protection.
Political significance and implications
For the Belarusian leadership, a reworked constitution serves multiple purposes: it provides a legal framework for internal governance priorities, consolidates institutions the state values (for example, the Belarusian People’s Congress), and can be used to signal stability to domestic and allied foreign audiences. Critics argue that without transparent, pluralistic processes and safeguards for civil liberties, constitutional changes risk entrenching state control rather than expanding democratic governance.
What to watch next
Key indicators to follow in the coming months include (1) publication of the full draft text for public scrutiny, (2) the schedule and format for public consultations or hearings, (3) any formal steps toward a referendum, and (4) responses from independent Belarusian civic groups and international legal bodies. If the authorities publish the draft online and open a structured public comment period, that will be the first measurable sign of broader engagement beyond official channels.
