Belarus Travel Tips Government

The 1994 constitution, controversially amended in 1996, allows for legislative power to be held by a bicameral National Assembly (Verchovny Soviet). This comprises – a 110-member House of Representatives directly elected for a four-year term and a 64-member Council of the Republic, of which eight members are presidential appointees and the remainder elected by local authorities. The President, who is directly elected for a five-year term, exercises executive power, assisted by a Council of Ministers answerable to the National Assembly.