Lukashenko Announces Vote On New Term

2004-09-08

Belarus Today

Running for a third term in a presidential election due in 2006 would require changing the constitution, which limits a president to two consecutive five-year terms. Lukashenko rose to power in 1994, and two years later oversaw a national referendum that stripped parliament of many powers and extended his term until 2001. He won another term in 2001 in an election that was not recognized as legitimate by European observers. The constitutional referendum will be held alongside parliamentary elections also scheduled for 17 October.