Belarus: Lukashenka appoints ex-General Staff chief as deputy head of Presidential Administration

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has appointed former Chief of General Staff Pavel Muraveyka as deputy head of the Presidential Administration, continuing a trend of elevating siloviki to top state positions. Expert Natallia Rabava notes this increases the influence of the security bloc in governance, though she cautions against expecting Muraveyka to single-handedly alter the administration's course. The move signals a further consolidation of power within the security apparatus.