It is widely recognised that top-down constitutional referendums in post-Soviet states reinforce the president’s power, at the expense of other branches of government. This article examines referendum engineering as a factor that undermines the balance of power, establishes a constitutional basis for long-lasting autocracies, and promotes authoritarian learning. It argues that the success of such referendums results from persistent strategic efforts by autocrats in their power struggles, often involving the manipulation of procedural structures. Identifying early legal shifts towards autocracy is especially crucial for responding to the process of autocratisation.
The 1994 constitution established a semi-presidential system, with significant parliamentary control, while Lukashenko sought to transform it into a super-presidential model, and the deputies aimed to move towards a parliamentary republic.
