Mitskevich said to represent new generation of politicians

On Thursday, Alyaksandr Lukashenka appointed Valery Mitskevich as deputy head of the Presidential Administration. Political analyst Raman Yakauleuski says the appointment marks the coming of a new generation of politicians to power. He noted that Mitskevich, 45, head of the National Law Drafting and Research Center prior to the appointment, was active in the working group, which is negotiating amendments to the Electoral Code with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Human rights defender Hary Pahanyaila met Mitskevich personally when the latter headed the Court of the Minsk District and Zaslauye. "He is a competent lawyer, a professional and a man of democratic views, in my opinion. It is good that people like him are hired by the Presidential Administration. He represents a new generation of politicians," Pahanyaila said.

Pahanyaila added that Natallya Pyatkevich, a deputy head of the Presidential Administration, may be soon given another portfolio, for instance, appointed as justice minister. Pyatkevich is in charge of the Presidential Administration's law service at present.

Aleh Hulak, head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, went to college together with Mitskevich. "I think people like him will be useful in this difficult time," Hulak said. "He is quite settled, has a family and children." He added that Mitskevich performed well in college and the former college mates still maintained good human relations.

Incidentally, Lukashenka, 54, is now the oldest official at his Presidential Administration.

Born on 24 February 1964 in Lida, Mitskevich earned a law degree from Belarusian State University in 1989.




Photo: rec.gov.by