Ex-Minister of Culture Markevich dismissed from a cushy job. Another "downed pilot" jumped into his place
The representative office of the Permanent Committee of the Union State in Minsk is a dream job for retired officials.
The head of the representative office of the Permanent Committee of the Union State (US) in Minsk has changed. 55-year-old Anatol Markevich, a teacher by education, who served as Minister of Culture from 2020 to 2024, has left the cushy position.
He was replaced by 52-year-old Siarhei Nalivaika, who was Minister of Taxes and Duties (2014-2024).
Markevich, however, remained within the structure of the representative office, but in a lower position.
Many retired officials compete for the right to land a job in the Union structure before retirement. Salaries here are paid at Russian rates, which are much higher than Belarusian ones. This allows one to earn decent money in a couple of years with an absolute lack of real work. The Union State is already a phantom, but if any decisions are made there, they are made in Moscow.
However, similarly, officials in EU countries fight for the right to get into the European Parliament, which also allows them to receive many times higher salaries, and later to claim a high pension.
Markevich lasted only a year in the position. But his predecessor, Maryana Shchotkina, headed the US representative office for as long as six years — from 2019 to 2025.
While Minister of Culture, Markevich stated that "traitors have no place on stage", and that Belarusian culture after 2020 purified itself from "destructive elements". Under him, the rules for issuing touring certificates were tightened and blacklists of artists were reinstated. Under him, the Kupala Theater was finally destroyed, and not a single memorable film was made.
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