Belarus MPs vote "yes" even after minister confuses draft legislations

Belarus's Finance Minister Mikalaj Korbut on June 25 was at the National Assembly to present two legislations dealing with taxes for the trade with Russia. When Mr Korbut began reading his presentation of the first draft, Uladzimir Kanapliou, the speaker of the parliament, carefully asked the minister if the latter confused the issue. However, Mr Korbut continued his speech.

After the presentation, lawmakers asked questions and then voted in favor of the draft legislation. It later turned out that the drafts had been confused.

The speaker had to cancel the results of the vote. But MPs pushed the "yes" buttons for the second time.

Komsomolskaya pravda v Belorussii writes about this incident and lists the titles of the presentations:

1. On the law on ratification of a protocol between the government of Belarus and the government of Russia on procedures of collecting indirect taxes on jobs and services.

2. On a draft law on approving a protocol between the government of Belarus and the government of Russia about introducing amendments to the agreement between the Belarus government and the Russian government on the principles of collecting indirect taxes during the export and import of goods, jobs and services dated September 15, 2004.