1.3. Main specifics of the constitutional system

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus is the Fundamental Law of the state, having supreme legal force. Laws of the Republic of Belarus, decrees and ordinances of the President, and other acts of state bodies (officials) are adopted and enacted in compliance with the Constitution.
Where there is a discrepancy between a law, decree or ordinance and the Constitution, the Constitution applies. Where there is a discrepancy between a decree or ordinance and a law, the law applies when the powers for the promulgation of the decree or ordinance were provided by the law.
The issue of amending and supplementing the Constitution is to be considered by the chambers of the Parliament on the initiative of the President or of no fewer than 150,000 citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are eligible to vote.
A law on amending and supplementing the Constitution may be adopted after it has been debated and approved twice by both chambers of the Parliament with at least a three months' interval.
The Constitution can not be amended or supplemented by the Parliament during a state of emergency or the last six months of the term of the House of Representatives.
The Constitution, laws on amendments and addenda thereto, on the entry into force of the said laws and instruments on the interpretation of the Constitution is to be deemed to have been adopted where no less than two-thirds of the elected deputies of both chambers of the Parliament have voted in favour of them.
The Constitution may be amended or supplemented via a referendum. A decision to amend or supplement the Constitution by means of a referendum shall be deemed adopted where a majority of citizens on the electoral roll have voted in favour of it.

Democracy in the Republic of Belarus is to be exercised on the basis of diversity of political institutions, ideologies and views. The ideology of political parties, religious or other public associations, social groups may not be made mandatory for citizens.
Political parties and other public associations acting within the framework of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Belarus, contribute towards ascertaining and expressing the political will of the citizens and participate in elections.

According to the Constitution the system of the state power bodies include:

  • President of the Republic of Belarus (the head of the state)
  • Parliament - the National Assembly.
  • The Government - the Council of Ministers.
  • The Courts.
  • The Procurator's office.
  • The state supervisory committee.
  • Local governments and self- governments.