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Belarus government in turmoil coming up to referendum

November 18, 1996
Web posted at: 12:00 a.m. EST (0500 GMT)

MINSK, Belarus (CNN) -- Parliament members signed petitions Monday to impeach President Alexander Lukashenko as they fought to keep the chief executive from expanding his already sweeping powers in the former Soviet republic of Belarus.

If approved, the referendum would extend Lukashenko's term until 2001, and give him the right to disband parliament and appoint judges, election officials, some legislators and most members of the Constitutional Court.

Also Monday, Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir resigned. He did not explain why he handed in his resignation, but he has in the past opposed Lukashenko's attempts to ram the constitutional amendments through. A referendum on the amendments is scheduled for this Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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