A Lithuanian expert: Lukashenka is illegitimate candidate

The EU should reformulate a fundamentally new position on the election in Belarus, believes a representative of the Eastern European Studies Centre (EESC).

On December 19 the presidential election is to take place in Belarus. The topic of the upcoming election is discussed both in Belarus and at the international level. Lithuania is no exception. According to participants of the discussion which was held in the European Informational Bureau of Seimas last week, it is necessary for Lithuania for the EU not to “fall asleep in Christmas time”, ru.DELFI.lt informs.

A representative of the Eastern European Studies Centre Vytis Jurkonis started his presentation with an argument that Lithuania does not have a well-defined position on Belarus.

“The fact that Lithuania does not have a clear position on Belarus should not be regarded as a reproach to those who are molding foreign policies. At the moment it is the general tendency of the EU countries towards this country,” he said.

He called the changed role of Russia one of the innovations of this election campaign. As said by him, the fact that it is impossible to avoid the Russia’s factor is obvious. “That is why we should not rush about and say that we should save Lukashenka from Moscow. In such a case we are making an U-turn of our position, we are rushing about, which is advantageous for Lukashenka,” he said.

The researcher admits that election campaign is being carried out, however he attracts attention to the fact that this innovation exists only on paper.

The promise of Lukashenka to register as many candidates as possible is interpreted by him in favour of the current ruler, who will allegedly be able “to win his 80% of votes without any trouble”. “The administrative resources of Lukashenka are huge. Even now an anti-campaign against the candidates is taking place’ they have minimal access to mass media. Lukashenka is making speeches 28 hours a day, as they say,” he stressed.

“Lukashenka is an illegitimate candidate,” he continued. “A considerable part of the opposition is already advocating taking to the streets. The question suggests itself: what the reaction to the Square [protests] of the world community and of Lithuania would be? It is important for Lithuania that Europe won’t fall asleep during the Christmas time, and to bring up this issue in the holiday time. The other thing is the chairmanship in the OSCE. Our principled position should be formulated. What really matters is not whom to support, but to change the rules of the game, and these rules are to be applied to all”.