Belarus (1991–1994)

Republic of Belarus Рэспубліка Беларусь (Belarusian) Respublika Biełaruś
1991–1994
Flag Coat of Arms
Anthem: Дзяржаўны гімн Рэспублікі Беларусь (Belarusian) Dziaržaŭny himn Respubliki Biełaruś "State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus"
Show globe Show map of Europe Location of Belarus (1991–1994) (green) in Europe  (dark grey)  – [ Legend ]
Capital and largest city	Minsk 53°55′N27°33′E / 53.917°N 27.550°E / 53.917; 27.550
Official languages	Belarusian
Ethnic groups (1989 census)	77.9% Belarusians 13.2% Russians 4.1% Poles 2.9% Ukrainians 1.1% Jews 0.83 other
Demonym(s)	Belarusian
Government	Parliamentary republic
Chairman of the Supreme Council
• 1991–1994 (first)	Stanislaw Shushkevich
• 1994	Vyachaslaw Kuznyatsow (acting)
• 1994 (last)	Myechyslaw Hryb
Prime Minister
• 1991–1994 (first & last)	Vyacheslav Kebich
Legislature	Supreme Council
Independence from the Soviet Union
•  Belovezha Accords	8 December 1991
•  Constitution	15 March 1994
Area
• Total	207,595 km2 (80,153 sq mi)
Population
• 1989 census	10,151,806
Currency	Belarusian ruble (BYB)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 code	BY
Preceded by Succeeded by Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic Belarus
Today part of	Belarus

Between 1991 and 1994, the Republic of Belarus had no official constitution. It largely relied on government structures inherited from the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. The time period also was one of political tension.

History

During the August Coup in 1991, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic's branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union supported the putsch. However, once the coup failed, Chairman of the Supreme Council Mikalay Dzyemyantsyey (who was also first secretary of the Communist Party of Byelorussia) was forced to resign from his post, leading to the election of Stanislaw Shushkevich, a scientist, who while a member of the CPSU, was not directly tied to the Apparats. Alongside this, he was known previously for his criticism of the Soviet government's disregard for the Chernobyl Disaster. ^[1]

On August 25, 1991, the BSSR declared independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the Republic of Belarus. the White-red-white flag was re-adopted, alongside the Pahonia. The CPB was banned, alongside the larger Communist Party of the Soviet Union.^{[ citation needed ]}

A constitution was adopted in 1994, leading to the end of the period between the BSSR and modern Belarus.

Chernobyl disaster

The Chernobyl disaster remained a top issue in Belarusian politics throughout the 1990s. In 1991, the Belarusian state had to craft policy to handle the disaster on their own after the Soviet Union's collapse, and by extension, research institutions to inform said policy. By the late 1990s, Chernobyl had faded out of public consciousness, and thus political discussion in the country. ^[2]

Politics

Due to many of the political structures of Belarus being inherited from the BSSR, minus the CPSU's party politics, Belarus between 1991 and 1994 acted as a Parliamentary republic with the Speaker as Head of State. This position was held by Stanislaw Shushkevich at first, but was later taken up by Myechyslaw Hryb, a pro-Russian conservative aligned with the Supreme Council. ^[1]

In early 1992, the Belarusian Popular Front petitioned the government for early elections, but the Supreme Council rejected the petition, claiming massive irregularities, despite showcasing no evidence for such. As a concession to the opposition, parliamentary elections were set for March 1994. However, electoral reform failed to pass led to an ambiguous state for elections. Concerns stated by other countries, including the United States over continued delays in new elections were dismissed by the largely conservative Supreme Council as "interference in Belarusian affairs." ^[3]

Economy

Contrary to conditions in the other post-Soviet states, the Belarusian industrial sector initially had less severe decline, due to much of the government reluctant to adopt Shock therapy. ^[4] Belarus also assumed 4.13% of the Soviet Union's debt, which it would later transfer to Russia in exchange for Soviet assets. ^[5]

Foreign relations

During the early 1990s, Belarus had a very contradictory foreign policy, due to the various conflicts between the branches of government. The Foreign Minister at the time, Petr Krauchanka, advanced claims on neighboring Lithuania with a nationalist outlook, while Stanislau Shushkevich rejected such claims, and attempted to guarantee the current borders of the country. The Polish-Belarusian state declaration, signed in October 1991, ended Belarusian claims on Polish territory, and calmed fears amongst the small nationalist movement of Polish irredentism. ^[6]

Demographics

Population of Belarus according to ethnic groups in 1989

Ethnic group	census 19894
	Number	%
Belarusians	7,904,623	77.9
Russians	1,342,099	13.2
Poles	417,720	4.1
Ukrainians	291,008	2.9
Jews	111,975	1.1
Armenians	4,933	0.1
Tatars	12,436	0.1
Romani	10,762	0.1
Azerbaijanis	5,009	0.1
Lithuanians	7,606	0.1
Others	43,635	0.4
Total	10,151,806
Source: [7]

Eastern Orthodox Christianity was (and still is) the main religion in Belarus. In the early 1990s, 60% of Belarus identified with Orthodoxy. Catholicism sat at about 8 to 20% of the population in the early 90s, with an estimate that 25% of them were ethnic Poles. This figure also includes the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church. ^[8] In 1990, there were about 350 Protestant communities. ^[8]

Human rights

Belarus was classified as "Partly Free" by Freedom House in their 1992–1993 report, with criticisms including the continued state ownership of media outlets and political conflicts getting in the way of reform. ^[9]

References

1. Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States 1997 (3 ed.). Europa Publications Limited. November 1996. p. 180. ISBN   1-85743-025-5.
2. Shkaruba, Anton. "Chernobyl science and politics in Belarus: The challenges of post-normal science and political transition as a context for science–policy interfacing". Environmental Science & Policy: 1.
3. Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States 1997 (3 ed.). Europa Publications Limited. November 1996. p. 181. ISBN   1-85743-025-5.
4. Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States 1997 (3 ed.). Europa Publications Limited. November 1996. p. 184. ISBN   1-85743-025-5.
5. Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States 1997 (3 ed.). Europa Publications Limited. November 1996. p. 188. ISBN   1-85743-025-5.
6. Snyder, Timothy. The Reconstruction of Nations. Yale University Press. pp. 266–267. ISBN   9780300128413.
7. "All-Union Population Censuy 1989 years. National composition of the population by the republics of the USSR". Demoskos. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
8. Zaprudnik, Jan; Fedor, Helen (1995). "Language, Religion, Culture. §Religion". In Helen Fedor (ed.). Country studies – Belarus and Moldova. Part 1: Belarus. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 36–39. ISBN   978-0-8444-0849-1. (Alternative link to source.)
9. Freedom in the World, 1992-1993 (PDF). Freedom House. pp. 122–125. ISBN   0932088791 . Retrieved 31 May 2025.