Alexander Lukashenko looks at the list of those willing to compete with him in elections.
on Monday Morning, the head of the CEC of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina named the seven bidders for participation in the elections, which had time to hand over the signatures collected by initiative groups. Although such groups was 13, Ms. Yermoshina called a total of seven names. This is the current President Alexander Lukashenko, former head of Belgazprombank Victor Babariko, the former head of the HTP administration Valery Tsepkalo, Svetlana Tikhanovski (wife of well-known blogger Sergei Tikhanovski), former member of Parliament Anna Konopacka, co-Chairman of public Association “Tell the truth” Andrey Dmitriev and the Chairman of the Belarusian social democratic of the party “Hramada” Sergey Cerecer.
the Main opponent of Alexander Lukashenko in the elections of 2020 is a former banker Victor Babariko. He used the other handed over the signatures, and they were more than 350 thousand (the required 100 million) — a record among the opposition for the entire history of Belarus. However, on Thursday, June 18, opposition together with his son Edward was detained on suspicion of committing economic crimes, and on Monday the state security Committee (KGB) of Belarus has confirmed that both the charges.
Lawyers Victor Babariko stated that he had submitted to the General Prosecutor a complaint for his arrest, but the chances of its satisfaction is low for all the time they never even allowed to the defendant.
Valery Tsepkalo and Svetlana Tikhanovski, too, cannot be called extras. Mr. Tsepkalo informed was in the team of Alexander Lukashenko, but in an interview with “Kommersant” declared that the incumbent no longer meets the challenges of time. Among other things, he urged “to undertake a revision of the Union Treaty (with Russia.— “B”), which was concluded in a completely different era”. Svetlana’s husband Tikhanovski, blogger Sergei tikhanovski, until recently, was considered hardly probable not the main competitor of Alexander Lukashenko. However, when I had to apply for the establishment of the initiative group, he was under administrative arrest. In respect of the blogger and a number of his associates initiated a criminal case under article “Organization and preparation of activities that breach public order”.
Belarusian political analyst Artiom shraibman no doubt record three least visible of the candidates this campaign Andrei Dmitriev, Sergei Ceresna and Anna Konopacki. As for the three leaders of the opposition, most likely, the expert believes registration of Valery Tsepkalo. “He recently did not do sharp statements could create the impression of a safe candidate. But Svetlana Tikhanovski and her husband is elicitor��nie the street protests, which Lukashenko does not accept any kind”, — said the interlocutor of Kommersant. As for Victor Babariko, his chances he described as “50 on 50”: “Certainly the arrest of Babariko and his son will severely limit their conduct in the campaign. But even this does not make them safe. It is known that Babariko has recorded a video message prepared for publication. Besides from this policy and do not expect detailed program. The image of the Martyr gives him a lot more”.
the Fact that several politicians have declared their presidential ambitions, have become defendants in litigation, have caused concern in the West. So, an unnamed U.S. state Department spokesman said yesterday the Agency TASS: “We urge the government of Belarus to ensure equal conditions for everyone to take part in the elections, including with regard to registration of candidates, access to media and other aspects of the election campaign”. However, he noted that Washington is “concerned by reports about the arrest of an opponent of President Lukashenko — Victor Babariko”. The same is said in the foreign service of the EU. Officials of the Russian Federation in the case of Mr. Babariko did not comment. While earlier, the head of the state control Committee (SCC) of Belarus Ivan Tertel stated: the investigation has shown that “the puppeteers behind it (Victor Babariko.— “B”) activities” is “big heads “Gazprom” and maybe above”.
Meanwhile, Alexander Lukashenko once again made it clear that he is not ready to listen to accusations of violating democratic procedures.
Speaking on Monday in Brest on the occasion of the anniversary of the great Patriotic war, he said: “In the form in which we understand this democracy, its not close in any country”. As an example, the Belarusian President has led a tough crackdown on the rallies “yellow jackets” in France and protests in the United States. However, he assured that the recent arrests in Belarus were fully competent, “If we these thieves over the years of its independence, the wings are not clipped, we have now built oligarchic state and would stand on his knees. Therefore, looking at it calmly and don’t think of it somebody used for political purposes. There is no such need in Belarus to use something for political purposes”.
Kirill Krivosheev
