Lukashenko warns local authorities of hard times ahead

Difficult times are ahead of us, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he addressed the new heads of local authorities, BelTA has learned.

"Things will not be easy; you are on the front line. Difficult times are ahead of us," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president recalled that the elections of local councils and deputies of the House of Representatives will be held next year. The Belarusian People's Assembly will be held in a new format. These campaigns, he stressed, must be carried out honestly, with dignity and smoothly. "The presidential election is just around the corner. Therefore, special attention should be paid to working with people," the head of state said.

"There are no questions that do not concern you. Schools, community centers, sports facilities, hospitals… These issues fall within your terms of reference. We should avoid the situations like the one we had recently in the town of Uzda. At the recent meeting, I said that the commission would revisit the hospitals they already toured. And you know what? They went to Uzda and the things there turned out to be worse than during their first visit. This is not good. Now you are taking charge of a district, a town. This is a very interesting job. Settle in at your new jobs and start running the process. I ask again to be attentive to people, specialists. Don't shoot from the hip. When you cannot fix a problem, please talk to people and explain why. Everything should be fair, then fewer people will be dissatisfied," the president said.

"There are no questions in your district that do not concern you. They are all your responsibility. Even if an enterprise is of national subordination in Orsha, it's still your responsibility. Human resources, their performance is your responsibility. If something goes wrong, report to the President Administration. They are responsible for personnel matters. New appointments are good ones. I really hope that there will be a result," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The head of state touched on the situation in Orsha District: "A very interesting city and district. There is something to work with. Things are good in agriculture, but management could be more efficient. The manufacturing sector is strong. Orsha is a beautiful city. Russia is nearby. Russia is ready to buy wholesale everything they manufacture in Orsha."

Addressing Igor Moroz, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that his new position as chairman of the Orsha District Executive Committee is an opportunity for him to prove himself: "This is a good start. If you do well, then your career will be flourishing.”

"I will do my best," Igor Moroz replied.

Igor Moroz did a good job at his former place of work: the head of Senno District. In this regard, the president announced his plans to visit Senno District this year and see how things are in the district.

The head of state also mentioned the specifics of Orsha District where Aleksandr Lukashenko was born and where he still often travels and intimately familiar with the state of affairs there. "Professional people are important. Do not shoot from the hip, try to figure out the root of the problem. Pursue your policy very clearly, without looking at who is around you," the Belarusian leader noted. “This is the homeland of the president. There are many people who will be asking for favors. Never mind them. Or do but make decisions yourself.