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Belarus to Get President

Parliament in the former Soviet republic of Belarus has voted to introduce the post of president.


The president, elected by popular vote, will be the head of state and wield executive power. A candidate should be over 35 years old and have lived in the republic for at least 10 years, according to the new law.


Voting lasted three days as deputies struggled to collect the two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution. The final vote Tuesday was 266 for the motion and 16 against.


Presidential elections are likely to take place in June, subject to a final decision by parliament.

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