Lukashenko elected as chair of All-Belarusian People's Assembly

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk, Belarus, on April 24, 2024. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the chair of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday, according to local media reports. (Photo by Henadz Zhikov/Xinhua)

MINSK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the chair of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday, according to local media reports.

The All Belarusian People's Assembly is a general meeting of the Belarusian government with industry leaders and other top officials from every sector of the government. It has previously been held six times from 1996 to 2021.

The assembly this year is convened in a newly empowered role, as established by amendments to the Belarusian constitution. It is now recognized as the premier representative body of democracy in Belarus, the BelTA news agency said.

Under the new status, the All-Belarusian People's Assembly will convene at least once a year and its members will serve five-year terms, according to the report.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech during the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk, Belarus, on April 24, 2024. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the chair of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday, according to local media reports. (Photo by Henadz Zhikov/Xinhua)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech during the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk, Belarus, on April 24, 2024. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the chair of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday, according to local media reports. (Photo by Henadz Zhikov/Xinhua)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk, Belarus, on April 24, 2024. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the chair of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday, according to local media reports. (Photo by Henadz Zhikov/Xinhua)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivers a speech during the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk, Belarus, on April 24, 2024. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the chair of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday, according to local media reports. (Photo by Henadz Zhikov/Xinhua)