What is known about the upcoming meeting of the Belarusian People's Congress? We have collected the main thing in one material

About the history of the Belarusian People's Congress

The All-Belarusian People's Congress no longer needs to be represented. However, only a couple of years ago, in February 2022, it received constitutional status and became not just a platform for brainstorming and discussing prospects, but the highest representative body of democracy in Belarus. The decisions of the Belarusian People's Congress are now binding and can cancel legal acts of state bodies and officials if they contradict the interests of national security. With the exception, of course, of acts of judicial authorities. 

The first Belarusian People's Congress was conducted in 1996. It was a time of economic chaos and political conflict. Life required urgent decisions, and only the people had the right to decide their own fate, Alexander Lukashenko said. 

But there is an opinion that the history of Belarusian People's Congress began long before that. Historian Igor Marzalyuk reminded us about the ancient Belarusian veche, our ancient tradition of national justice.

"The Veche is a national assembly, but not everyone gathered. Initially, only adult married men with full legal capacity, defending their country if necessary, i.e. carrying weapons and owning property. You need to understand that these are primarily heads of families. Later, representatives of the most important, significant genera. But the most important thing is that this veche represented the entire cross-section, all groups of the free population (in this case, the Polotsk land)," he said.

Who becomes a delegate of the Belarusian People's Congress

According to the legislation, the maximum number of delegates of the National Assembly is 1,200 people. These are primarily representatives of all branches of government, local Councils of Deputies and civil society, i.e. various social strata and groups of society. 

At the same time, representatives from the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, as well as deputies of the Minsk City Council of Deputies, are ex officio delegates of the National Assembly, and representatives from other local Councils of Deputies, as well as from civil society, are elected in accordance with the procedure established by law.  

You can read about the faces of the Belarusian People's Congress, about ordinary people in our section of the same name. We considered it important to introduce you to those who represent the interests of our country, their values, views and what motivates people involved in shaping the future of Belarus.

What was discussed at the first meeting of the VII Belarusian People's Congress

The first meeting of the VII Belarusian People's Congress was held in April 2024. Moreover, in its new status as a constitutional body that determines the strategic directions of the development of society and the state, ensuring the inviolability of the constitutional system, the continuity of generations and civil harmony, this forum was held for the first time.

The delegates elected the chairman of the National Assembly, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Alexander Kosinets was elected to the post of Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly. In addition, the members of the Presidium of the National Assembly were identified. 

At that time, two important documents were submitted to the delegates - the National Security Concept and the Military Doctrine of Belarus. These documents establish basic approaches to ensuring the security of the state and society in various spheres of life, taking into account the current geopolitical situation, modern challenges and threats.

What is known about the socio-economic development program for the new five-year plan 

The program of socio-economic development of Belarus for 2026-2030 will be the main document to be approved by the delegates of the VII National Assembly. Of course, they are already familiar with the draft of this document, and the delegates have already sent their proposals, which amount to more than a thousand appeals, to the government and other authorities. Platforms for collecting popular proposals were also launched - 70 thousand responses were received. 

Prime Minister Alexander Turchin will present the draft program at the meeting. In particular, he will report on the implementation of the program of the previous five-year plan. Among the priorities outlined in the new document are demographic security, youth policy and the formation of human capital, including education, the creation of cozy and comfortable living conditions and decent work, the development of the digital economy, robotics, automation, the formation of strong regions, ensuring peace and security, as well as tourism. 

"Our population is very concerned about the topic of jobs. Among the main questions is whether the "One District, One Project" initiative will be continued. More than 150 projects have already been implemented. About 100 more are in various stages of development," said Dmitry Krutoy, head of the Presidential Administration. "I think that special emphasis will be placed on additional benefits, incentives and preferences that will allow for more active job creation outside large settlements on an industrial basis." 

According to him, the issues of technological sovereignty and import conservation are a common thread throughout the program. So, in the "Export" section, the share of the far arc, which today is about 20-22%, should be increased by 10 points.

Chairman of the Board of the National Bank Roman Golovchenko, who headed the working group on the preparation of a new socio-economic development program, said that one of the most difficult sections of the program is "Strong regions". 

"We are a small country, but nevertheless there are certain regional differences in the location of productive forces and in priorities. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a balance here and understand that we have taken everything into account as it should be," stressed the head of the National Bank. - The program includes, as we traditionally say, strenuous tasks for the growth of household incomes, wages, and investments. The factors, the result of which should make our country a better place, richer people, and a more liberated and free business initiative. But it is important to see behind the numbers the specific tasks that we need to solve. We tried to show or emphasize technological development and technological self-sufficiency in the program." 

The Ministry of Economy, in turn, noted that the socio-economic development program for 2026-2030 reflects the needs of society. "The cross-section shows that the issues that concern the delegates tend more towards a comfortable living environment. These are transport accessibility, housing and communal services, territorial development, and the creation of new industries. All these topics are covered in the Socio-economic Development Program," the ministry said.

At the same time, the Ministry of Economy believes that the biggest risk today is global instability and the possibility of slowing global economic development. "Therefore, we focus our program primarily on domestic resources, because no one but ourselves will be able to create a state for our citizens," said Ivan Vezhnovets, First Deputy Minister of Economy. 

By the way, initially the program of the new five-year plan had two projects. The first option was developed by the government, and the second one was developed by the very working group headed by Roman Golovchenko. How did it happen? 

"As they say, one head is good, but two heads are better. The delegates of the All-Belarusian People's Congress expressed their desire to actively participate in the revision of the document. I supported this initiative and instructed to involve our leading economists and people who will express their opinions in this work. A working group of delegates with significant experience and competencies in various fields has been established. It was headed by the Chairman of the Board of the National Bank, yesterday's Prime Minister (Roman Golovchenko. - Approx. BELTA)," Alexander Lukashenko explained at the November meeting. - On the one hand, it is good that there are several opinions on the document as a whole. On the other hand, we need to approach a single option. People need a realistic, concrete, understandable document for everyone, not only a delegate, but also a citizen of our country."

What else will be discussed at the second meeting of the VII Belarusian People's Congress

Other issues on the agenda of the second meeting of the VII Belarusian People's Congress include the election of a member of the Presidium of the Belarusian People's Congress (instead of Konstantin Burak, appointed in April 2025 as Assistant to the President - Inspector for the Grodno region). This decision will have to be made by secret ballot. 

In addition, the personnel issues of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts will be considered for the first time at the meeting of the Supreme Court (now this is the competence of the Supreme Court). In particular, the delegates will have to elect five new judges of the Constitutional Court, which is how many retire after reaching the age of 70.

What will the President's Message to the Belarusian people and Parliament be about?  

In accordance with the updated Constitution, the annual messages of the head of state are now heard only on the site of the Belarusian People's Congress. And the President's speech, of course, will be the central event of this forum. We are sure that the attention of not only the delegates themselves and all Belarusians will be focused on it, but also residents of foreign countries - near and far, from ordinary people to high-ranking politicians.  

"The President's Message will be heard - this is what everyone is waiting for. Everyone understands the urgency of the moment, the importance of the President's speech, programmatic, fundamental speech, right at this time. It will definitely be like that. The president understands this better than anyone. He is already working on the preparation," said Natalia Eismont, the press secretary of the head of state. 

The head of state will certainly pay special attention to national security issues. Quite possibly, we should expect sensational statements. For example, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, responding to a question from journalists about when the Oreshnik missile system would go on combat duty in Belarus, hinted opaquely: "This is the competence and prerogative of the President of the Republic of Belarus. Wait for the All-Belarusian People's Congress - the President will tell you everything."

What are the dangers for the Belarusian People's Congress

At a recent meeting of the Presidium of the Belarusian People's Congress, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the Belarusian People's Congress has been working for several years, but this is the first time such close attention has been paid to it, both in fact and in form. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a style of work of the Belarusian People's Congress and the Presidium of the National Assembly, which will be preserved forever, the Belarusian leader said. It may take years to develop it, but we need to start now. 

"The most dangerous thing for us (people have noticed this, especially experts) is if the Belarusian People's Congress (not today, of course) then he will start to conflict with another President. This is a disaster. There should be no conflict. Therefore, building up the work of the Council of National Assembly and its Presidium, it is necessary to make sure that everyone is doing their own thing," the Belarusian leader stressed. - The President is the President. This is the head of state, his powers have been settled for decades, roughly speaking, in a popular way, and there is no need to destroy it. It has a certain effect."

The Belarusian People's Congress, according to the head of state, should deal with larger, global issues. "We have agreed that this is reinforced concrete, that it determines the directions of the state's work for the foreseeable future, strategic tasks," Alexander Lukashenko said. 

But still, the main question that Belarusians should answer at the upcoming meeting of the Belarusian People's Congress (and in general, it should always be kept in mind): how we want to see ourselves and how we want to see our native country. There should be no disagreement here.