VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > B. Europe, 1945–2000 > 7. Eastern Europe, 1945–2000 > i. Russia (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Successor States) > 2. Post-Soviet Successor Republics in Europe and Asia > c. Belarus > 1999, July
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1999, July
 
Authoritarian president Lukashenko canceled planned elections that would have challenged his regime; he cited a 1996 amendment to the constitution that he claimed extended his term into 2001. Governmental turmoil ensued in Belarus, and Lukashenko soon disbanded the Parliament.  1
 
July 20
 
Semyon Sharetsky was chosen as acting Belarusan president by a group of 35 members of the disbanded Parliament. This secret referendum came in light of Pres. Lukashenko's cancellation of elections earlier in the year. Still claiming his position as head executive, Sharetsky fled the country for safety.  2
 
Oct.–Dec
 
Demonstrators in Minsk protested the mysterious disappearances of opposition leaders and the proposed reunification with Russia. On Dec. 8 Pres. Lukashenko signed an agreement in Moscow that further connected Belarus with Russia, economically and militarily.  3
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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