Belarus
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Presidential-Parliamentary
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Oversight
Oversight tools
- Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
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No
- Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
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No
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Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
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Yes
Sources: Article 21 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus" The House of Representatives approves appointments of ambassadors of the Republic of Belarus to foreign states.
- Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
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Yes
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Number of written questions asked, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered.
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43(2023)
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Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered
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43(2023)
Notes:
As of 2021, MPs send requests and inquiries to executive authorities, but no statistical data is kept.
Constitution, Article 103.
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Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of written questions answered by the number of questions that were asked.
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100.0%(2023)
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Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments. The aims and objectives of parliamentary inquiries cover a large spectrum: from a general examination of an issue of public interest to an investigative inquiry into a specific topic, the results of which may have penal implications.
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Yes
Sources: 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"
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Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
The total number of inquiries/investigations can include those carried out by any committee (permanent or ad-hoc) or specialized body within parliament. In the case an inquiry/investigation spans more than one year it is ounted once in the year it was initiated. The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments.
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0(2024)
Head of State and/or Government
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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.
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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.
Sources: 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
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No
- Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
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Parliament does not play a role
Notes: The House of Representatives calls elections for the Presidency.
Sources: 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
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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.
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No
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Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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No information available
Impeachment procedure
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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)
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Individual members of the ExecutiveOther
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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
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Lower chamberUpper chamber
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.
Sources: Articles 97 and 98 of the Constitution, Article 14 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus"
No confidence processes
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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)
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The whole Government
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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
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Lower chamber
Sources: Articles 94, 97, 106 of the Constitution, Articles 26, 27, 28 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus"