Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has already signed a decree dismissing the current government in line with his previously announced plans, the local Belarus 1 broadcaster reported. While the report is yet to be officially confirmed, the president did discuss the issue of forming a new government with representatives of the two chambers of the country's parliament, the head of the presidential administration, and the state secretary of the Security Council of Belarus earlier in the day.
Lukashenko argued that it was high time to pick the members of the new government, pointing out that a presidential election is looming and that he has always formed a new cabinet in advance.
"The incumbent President has always picked a new government on the eve of election so that people, voting for or against [him or her], could understand who would be working on resolving vital issues related to their lives, determining the social and economic development of our country", Lukashenko said.
At the same time, the president argued that a total replacement of the entire cabinet is not in the country's interests, citing the complex economic situation in the world caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The next presidential election in Belarus is scheduled for 9 August 2020 and is expected to be held without delays, despite the global pandemic.