LAW MAKING PROSESS IN BELARUS

Under the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus the right to initiate the legislative process belongs to President, members of the Chamber of Representatives, Council of the Republic, Government and to the citizens of Belarus numbered not less than 50,000.

If a bill concerns changes or amendments to the Constitution, the legislative process can be initiated only by President or at least 150,000 citizens of Belarus.

Normally there are two stages in the life of a bill. The first stage is the drafting of the bill. The bill is usually prepared in the Ministries or in the corresponding parliamentary committees. This stage is very important, because the quality of preparatory work determines the success of the legislative process in the whole. During this stage consultations with the involved state organs, businesses, legal experts are taken.

Any bill is firstly considered in the Chamber (House) of Representatives and then in the Council of the Republic. Normally a bill has three readings in the house. The first reading is rather formal, it is in fact an introduction of the bill. Then the bill is sent to a corresponding standing or a specially formed committee of the House. In the committee the bill is amended and sent for the second reading to the House. During the second reading the bill is debated and amended by the members of the House. When the opinions and amendments of the representatives are included in the bill it is voted by the House. A bill passes in the House if it is approved by simple majority of representatives.

The bills approved by the Chamber of Representatives are sent to the Council of the Republic during 5 days, where they may be considered no more than 20 days. In the Council of the Republic a bill is submitted to mostly the same procedure as in the House of Representatives. If the higher house votes down the bill, the Houses may form a conciliatory committee to resolve the differences. After the differences are resolved the bill is sent to both Houses for approval.

The bill passed in both Houses during 10 days is sent to President for signing. President has the right to veto a bill. To override the presidential veto both houses must reapprove the bill by two-thirds of their members.