Rebalance of powers in Belarus

Presidential Decree No 78 has somewhat changed the balance of powers in Belarus. Firstly, the Government has been empowered to set the terms for coordination of draft legislative acts with the Presidential Administration and to set the initial value of state-owned enterprises, which has seriously reduced the institutional and political weight of the Administration in comparison with the Government. In addition, the decree has modified the criteria for evaluating the efficiency of the Government, fiscal authorities, and entire executive branch. Secondly, the operational powers of local authorities have been extended – they now may alienate agricultural land from the insolvent utility enterprises.