the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the meeting with the head of the KGB Valery Vakulchik said that will not allow a Maidan in their own country. He stressed that he knows “where the wind blows”. Lukashenka’s words came amid an extremely difficult electoral situation on the eve of his sixth re-election as President of the Republic. For several days in all the major cities of the country thousands of people are lining up to sign for any candidate except the incumbent.
About the situation in the country, we were told the presidential candidate of Belarus Andrei Dmitriev:
– Lukashenko believes that the protest mood in Belarus before the presidential election pumps up Russia. But in fact the wind is blowing from the inside, and this is very serious features of the current presidential campaign from many previous. A huge number of very Belarusians in Belarusian lined up to say their “no” to five more years of life with Lukashenko.
True, and about Russia is intriguing. Belarusians are wondering whether there will be Lukashenka’s Victory day parade in Moscow on 24 June, and whether he is alone or with one of the opposition presidential candidates in Belarus? In the end, if 24 Jun Lukashenko will meet with President of Russia Vladimir Putin before the election, he is unlikely to turn up another such opportunity. The parade could be a major blow to its credibility within the ruling Belarusian elite.
Why patience is exhausted on these elections, but not in the previous or not for the parliamentary?
– still for the people the presidential election is decisive. In addition, it is now for Belarusians coincided many factors. In particular, the behavior of the state during a pandemic, when the government simply withdrew from the problems of the people and told them about the tractor and vodka, which supposedly help to cure the disease, stratified on the economic crisis. Those who went to work abroad in the last 2-3 months literally left without a livelihood. They immediately remembered Tunitskii the law and the fact that domestic work is less.
for Example, on may 30 I was in Lida, where I was approached by a woman who said, “I’m a nurse, work with patients. No surcharges no, my salary is 350 Belarusian rubles.” This is about $ 145. Every month she she thinks she can buy her food or pay the rent. The feeling of total injustice and rudeness on the part of the state has reached a very high level.
they Say that in Belarus the voters do not subscribe for specific constituents, and for all except Lukashenko. Is that so?
– many come to the pickets and say “we all, except one” and “together against one.”
– And while the opposition failed to put a single the leader of the opposition?
– the Current situation shows that a large number of leaders better than when he is alone. We were able to mobilize very different parts of society. For example, I’ll recruit voters in small towns who think like us here to live. These people are horrified by what they have to tell their children: “Go away and don’t come back, I’ll help you to cling to the border.” Each candidate their own voters, but all together we form the majority.
– Lukashenka has a trump card in this election?
– It is these choices that hurt the maximum number of sides. At the end of the fight against coronavirus, for example, hurt teachers and physicians. Before the parliamentary elections overwhelmed all opposition candidates, thereby offending a huge part of society.
He managed to quarrel with Russia, and the conflict with Russia continues. Lukashenka has only two trump card is the gold and currency reserves of Belarus, with which it may briefly delay the crisis, throwing people, money, and hostility. But he’s not the main thing: understanding people in order that they will be in 5-10 years.
People fear not what they can do Lukashenko, fighting for the presidency, and their life will be during the next period of his reign.
If the wind blows from Russia why the West, this time he was more passive than usual?
– first of all, Belarusians fear a repetition of the Ukrainian scenario. In particular, no one wants war in the East of Belarus. We are afraid of “the 31st roadmap” for unification with Russia, and so on. Second, Western governments are more busy with their own problems related to the economic crisis and the coronavirus.
– Russia will not be a problem to negotiate with another President?
– Here much depends on both sides, but my position is that Minsk should stop deceiving Moscow. We cannot continue to promise what is not going to perform.
In particular, the need to abandon the single currency and sinecures for officials, which is a Federal state. Instead, we had to go to a friendly, close and honest relationship. If Russia says that she doesn’t want to build a single energy market, so be it, we’ll act on that it. The need to preserve what has already been done for people and works effectively pensions, the ability to conduct business, a lack of boundaries and so on.
But unrealistic expectations only hinder the two countries to be friends. Any sane President of Belarus will be able to negotiate with Russia and with the European Union. Minsk needs a strong partner, especially if they border with us.
Returning to the bayonets… it is Clear that Lukashenko is the sixth PR��term in office in a row and not going to leave power. And the Belarusians are ready to the fact that their choice will not coincide with the choice of Lukashenka?
– Now Belarusians use the legitimate and peaceful opportunity to say that they are tired. Many of those who lined up in queue to give their signature in favor of opposition candidates, do it without any aggression. They just want to get the country to live a life not of one man, and all the 9.5 million citizens. So the next step will depend on how many people will go to observation. But to talk about some aggression now is harmful because it encourages inappropriate actions by the authorities.
– leader of the street opposition Sergei tikhanovski were detained during the rally, supporters of Lukashenka accused him of fomenting the Maidan and so on. How dangerous it is for Lukashenko and possible street confrontation in Belarus?
– of Course, it is possible, especially if it will directly appeal to the leaders of the opposition, and the government will provoke such behavior. But today the people are peaceful queues because they want bloodless change, to become a state for people, not for those who are on its top.
however, I am not a supporter of Tikhanovski, and we are not companions, but his detention in Grodno was arrogant and a terrible provocation. Being a citizen of Belarus, he has the right to tell the truth about what is happening in the country, and to participate in discussing its future with other Belarusians. Initially, the story was as follows: tikhanovski stood in the picket, and it has been to stick with questions the woman. He refused to talk to her, turned and started to walk away. Then the police appeared and the woman shouted that he tikhanovski doesn’t want to answer her question. It was the first in the history of world politics case, when the police tried to force a politician to answer the question of the voter.
Then security forces grabbed Tikhanovski hands and started the brawl in which one of the policemen fell. Policy now accused of using violence against a law enforcement officer (in this article it can deprive of freedom for a period up to 6 years – “MK”). But then it turned out that the woman was a prostitute from Minsk, the policeman fell down, and picked him up to help, most other people, not tikhanovski.
Lukashenko understands that he was in a difficult situation, or he thinks that the sixth time will be as usual?
– he Probably understands, but thinks he’ll be able to beat Russia, to negotiate with the West and so on. But he and his team are very much mistaken. Already the epidemic is seen that close to the President very poorly assess risks and public presentswarming. This is due to the fact that Lukashenko has retreated to his Palace and lives not in the world where you live the rest of the Belarusians. He can’t hear criticism.
– How many days are left before delivery of signatures for presidential candidates?
– the Signatures you need to collect until June 19. I have already collected more than 30 thousand. Only 14 candidates, except for Lukashenko, all the same results. You need to collect not less than 100 thousand. We go about on schedule. Helps high politicization of society. I’m from Baranovichi, my collecting signatures couldn’t leave for lunch because they didn’t release the voters. And the situation of the opposition candidates. People come and say “all against one”.
– And there are those who support Lukashenka?
– of Course. Mostly older people, but among them there are those who say they are ready to vote for the opposition, not for himself but for his children and grandchildren. In particular, I told about this woman from Slutsk. She says her pension is good, but the problem is that it is out of this pension needs to help the whole family.
