The leader of the Belarusian opposition Saint Cichanouska called the presidential election in her country, which is to take place on Sunday, the “staging” and “masquerade”. In an interview with the daily Le Figaro, she emphasized that “they would not change anything” because “Belarusians rejected Lukashenko in 2020”. Cichanouska said that the most important thing is now to free political prisoners and interrupt repression.
“These so -called presidential elections are just a farce. They are not elections, but a masquerade organized by Lukashenko, so that he can re -appoint himself to govern and claim legitimacy that does not exist. There are no alternative candidates, there are no observers or counting votes” – She said Cichanouska in an interview published on Saturday.
Cichanouska calls Belarusians to reject “staging”
“We call on Belarusians to reject this staging. I encourage those who will be forced to participate in the election that they vote 'against everything” as part of the protest (it is the option “against all candidates” on the voting card – ed.) Voters who are outside Belarus, I encourage them to take part in demonstrations and actions in the world, whose goal is to signal that the Lukashenko regime is unlawful ” – said the oppositionist.
She then added: “We should remember that these elections will not change anything. Belarusians rejected Lukashenko in 2020.”
In this way, Cichanouska referred to the previous presidential elections in which she was the rival of Lukashenko. The results of alternative counting of votes indicated her victory, but the Central Electoral Commission announced that 80 percent of voters voted for Lukashenko. Mass peaceful protests began then, brutally suppressed by the authorities.
Belarus organizes the mock elections that Alaxandr Łukaszenka will win Jakub Loska/Facts about the world of TVN24 BIS
Cichanouska: Resistance continues, though in silence
Cichanouska said in an interview that the most important thing is now to release political prisoners and interrupt repression.
“Thousands of people were imprisoned. Independent media was destroyed and civil society is in a constant threat. (…) Despite this, the resistance continues, although in silence, secretly. (…) people find creative and delicate ways to express an objection (… .).
Swiatłana CichanouskaMarcin Obara/PAP
Lukashenka “sells her country in piece”
When asked about relationships Belarus and Russia She emphasized that “Belarus became a military base and a trampoline to aggression on Ukraine”, and Lukashenko “sells her country (Russia – ed.) To remain in power.”
“This year can bring significant changes. The new American administration could change the dynamics. Lukashenko regime, just like Putinowski, is far less stable than it seems. I am convinced that changes in Belarus will start earlier than in Russia. Belarusian society is ready. Unlike Russia, there is no support in Belarus for the war in Ukraine or for dictatorship, “said Cichanouska.
On Sunday, another regime presidential election will take place in Belarus, in which the opinion of experts will officially win the Lukashenko, ruling the country since 1994. The results of the previous vote from 2020 were not recognized by the international community. Also Sunday elections are not recognized by the West.
Source of the main photo: Marcin Obara/PAP