LUKASHENKO LOSING GROUND BUT NOT RESOLVE IN CONFRONTATION WITH PARLIAMENT AND COURT.

The Constitutional Court of Belarus yesterday began deliberations on a motion, signed by more than 70 parliamentary deputies, to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Aleksandr Lukashenko for multiple violations of the law. The parliamentary motion and the Court’s deliberation on it are the first two steps provided by law in the procedure to impeach and depose the president. Lukashenko’s removal, however, would require a two-thirds majority in the legislature.

Support for Lukashenko also seems to be eroding in the executive branch. Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Sannikau, and Labor Minister Aleksandr Sosnau have resigned in the last two days, and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Col. Mikalay Krechka has been dismissed by the president. Lukashenko yesterday appointed first deputy prime minister Syarhey Ling as acting prime minister. The president reaffirmed in a speech, also yesterday, his intention to proceed unilaterally with a referendum fashioned to give him sweeping powers. (Belaplan, Radio Minsk, Interfax, November 19)

Ukraine Hopes New Romanian Government Will Recognize Existing Borders.