From 1972 to 1973 he served in the Soviet army. From 1973 to 1983 Worked at the Minsk Water Supply and Water Treatment Plant, the Department of Public Utilities' Companies for the Minsk City Executive Committee.

From 1983 to 1984 Was a Chairman of the Executive Committee on the Soviet District Council of Minsk of People's Deputies, and from 1984 to 1985 was a deputy chairman of the Executive Committee of the Minsk City Council.

In 1985-1986 was a secretary of the Minsk City Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus. From 1986 to 1991 worked at the Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities of the BSSR and the Committee for Economy and Planning of the BSSR.

In 1991-1994 was a deputy prime minister, from 1995 to 2001 the head of the Presidential Administration. From 2001 to 2010 headed the Academy of Sciences and in 2010-2014 was a prime minister.