Belarus

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Clause 2, Article 103, Clause 4, Article 106 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus 

http://www.house.gov.by/en/constitution-of-the-republic-of-belarus-en/
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Clause 3, Article 103 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus 

http://www.house.gov.by/en/constitution-of-the-republic-of-belarus-en/
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Sub-clause 2, Clause 1, Article 98 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus; Ordinance of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 19 December 2001;№ 759 the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic; Sub- clause 2, Clause 1, Article 98.
Number of written questions asked, per year
(2020)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
(2020)
See historical data for this field.
Notes
As of 2021, Senators send requests and inquiries to executive authorities, but no statistical data is kept.



Constitution, Article 103.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Article 88 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus; Article 14 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus"
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
0
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament approves a nomination for the Head of Government
Notes
The Prime minister shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Belarus with the consent of the House of Representatives. The decision to this order shall be taken by the House of Representatives within two weeks since the nomination of the candidacy of the Prime minister. If the House of Representatives rejects the submitted nomination of the Prime minister twice, the President shall appoint the acting Prime minister on his own, and dissolve the House of Representatives and call new elections.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Articles 97 and 106 of the Constitution; Article 25 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus."
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Notes
The House of Representatives calls elections for the Presidency.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Articles 81 and 97 of the Constitution; Article 24 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus".

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Individual members of the Executive
Other (please specify)
Notes
The House of Representatives on the basis of the decision of the Council of the Republic and with no less than a two-thirds majority of the full composition of the House take the decision to remove the President from office.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Articles 97 and 98 of the Constitution, Article 14 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus"
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Upper chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Articles 94, 97, 106 of the Constitution, Articles 26, 27, 28 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus"
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No