Lukashenko on handover of power, amendments to Constitution: Not under pressure

AKIPRESS.COM - Power in the country should be redistributed via the constitutional process instead of street protests. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement while talking to employees of Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant on 17 August, BelTA reported. Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that work is in progress on ways to amend the country's Constitution in order to redistribute the authority. "We cannot give away this Constitution to god knows who. Because disasters will follow," he stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko assured he is ready to share presidential authority. "A new Constitution is necessary. Two variants have been suggested to me. I've rejected them because they differ little from the current one. Work is in progress on the third variant. Come, sit down, and let's work on the Constitution. We will arrange a referendum, pass the Constitution, and I will hand over my authority in accordance with the Constitution. But not under pressure and not via street protests," the head of state stated.
"No, I am not a saint. You know my hardline policies. You know the country wouldn't exist without this hard line. You know precisely that I will not offend your kids and will not surrender the country to anyone. It is the most important thing," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
"I will not live forever. But if you ruin the first president, you are going to ruin it like it was done in neighboring countries, in all the other ones. Belarusians shouldn't do it," the head of state said.