Belarusian Statehood

Though the history of Belarusian statehood goes back to ancient times, the world community has discovered this nation only recently. Belarus used to be one of the republics of the former USSR and wasn’t represented in the world as an independent political and economic formation. At present the Republic of Belarus is a sovereign, independent state with its own government and constitution.

Belarus is a presidential republic, where the President is the head of state, the guarantor of the Constitution and people's rights and freedoms. The Presidential elections take place every five years. The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus was adopted in 1994. The Constitution provides personal rights and freedoms of the citizens of the Republic of Belarus and establishes the responsibility of the state before its citizens for the creation of conditions for free development of the individual. The Constitution guarantees the citizens of the Republic of Belarus the right to health protection, including free treatment in state health-institutions. The Fundamental Law also guarantees free general education and professional technical training. Secondary special and higher education is accessible to all, depending on the abilities of each person. The citizens have the right to social security at old age, in case of illness, disability, loss of a breadwinner, and in other cases regulated by law.

State power in the Republic of Belarus is exercised through three main branches - legislative, executive and judicial. These bodies are independent.

The National Assembly (the Parliament) is a representative and legislative body of the Republic of Belarus. It consists of two chambers - the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. The elections of the deputies to the House of Representatives are direct and by secret vote. The Council of the Republic is a chamber of territorial representation. It consists of eight deputies from every region of Belarus and the city of Minsk. Eight of its members are appointed by the President.

The executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Government is accountable to the President and the Parliament.

In each of Belarusian six regions and 118 districts there are local executive councils which are also elected by direct vote. The so-called "vertical" executives in each region are appointed by the President.

Courts perform the judicial power in the republic. The Constitutional Court fulfills the control over the constitutional compliance of normative acts in the country.

The symbols of the Republic of Belarus as a sovereign state are its national flag, national emblem and national anthem.

The National Flag of the Republic of Belarus is a cloth consisting of two stripes: a red upper stripe and a green lower stripe. The vertical red-on-white Belarusian decorative pattern occupies one-ninth of the flag's length.

During ceremonies, the National Flag of the Republic is used with a diamond-shaped top edge containing a five-pointed.

The National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus represents a green-coloured contour of the Republic of Belarus in golden rays radiated by the sun over the globe. Above the contour there is a red five-pointed star. The emblem is framed in the wreath of goldenwheat ears and with clover flowers on the left and flax flowers on the right. The green ribbon at the bottom carries the golden inscription “The Republic of Belarus".

The National Anthem of independent Belarus was composed to the music by N. Sokolovsky, and it symbolizes Belarusian historical musical traditions. The lyrics were written by M. Klimkovich and V. Karizna and they emphasize patriotism and industriousness of the country’s citizens, friendly relations among people of different nationalities living in our country.

Belarus is a member of the CIS (Community of Independent States). Nowadays Belarus is a country of developed industry, education and culture. Its biggest enterprises and factories produce high quality goods ranging from heavy-duty trucks and tractors to refrigerators and watches. It exports potassium salt, tractors, electronic equipment, food and products of light industry. Visitors to Belarus are fascinated by its beautiful landscapes and scenery as well as by its cities and smaller settlements provided with all proper amenities.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-31