Nominating candidate to become president

“The people of Belarus believe Lukashenka may quit,” Andrei Sannikov, a coordinator of the civil campaign European Belarus, says.

Potential candidate for president of Belarus Andrei Sannikov gave an interview to Rzeczpospolita, a Polish newspaper.

– When will the presidential elections be held in Belarus?

– It is unknown yet, but they are likely to be carried out in the period between September 2010 and February 2010.

– Are you going to run in the elections?

– Surely.

– It seems that the opposition won’t propose a single candidate for presidency. There are many of those who want to become candidates…

– It’s good that we have many potential candidates. It is evident that people believe Alyaksandr Lukashenka can quit. But one must gather 100,000 signatures to be registered as a candidate. It’s not easy. I hope the opposition will be able to come to consensus. We are discussing these opportunities. When the elections date is announced and the campaign starts, these negotiations will gain momentum.

– However, the Belarusian opposition is disunited.

– Everyone in the opposition stands against the regime of Lukashenka, but their strategies and tactics differ. I think candidates shouldn’t run in the elections only to present themselves. I don’t need to show myself. One should run in the elections to use a chance to win. People look at us, both at the authorities and the opposition. Sixteen years of dictatorship, sixteen years of the barbaric power and suppressing development of Belarus – that’s enough. Nobody will be interested in the opposition taking part in the election not to win but only to gain some influence on Lukashenka’s policy.

– Will Russia influence the course of the elections?

– Russia always influences the events in Belarus. One of the reasons is that Lukashenka made the whole economy dependent on Russian energy.

– How would Moscow react if the opposition came to power in Belarus?

– Lukashenka is a product of Russia. It was created by Russia. Did it gain by that? According to independent experts, it cost Moscow $37.5 billion to support Lukashenka during the last 6 years. The Russian economy has been reformed unlike ours. Our economy should be reformed in order the Russian can run business in Belarus. Belarus stands on Russia’s way to Europe. Belarus, with its economy, totalitarian regime and notorious nonfulfilling agreements, creates problems both for Russia and Europe. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to say whether Moscow will decide on changing its policy towards Belarus.

– Europe applied a policy of stick – sanctions, and carrot – dialogue, towards Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Both approached were unsuccessful. Why?

– This is because instead of economic sanctions, such as US sanctions, tourist restrictions were imposed, such as bans on travelling for Lukashenka and his associates. In the meanwhile, the authorities feel serious consequences imposed, for instance, on Belneftekhim. That’s why they make a decision to release political prisoners. Lukashenka fulfilled none of the conditions. We again have political prisoners, such as Mikalai Autukhovich, sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment on an accusation of terrorist activity. Autukhovich has gone on hunger strike, his state is very bad, but the European Union doesn’t make any attempts to save him.

– Is the Belarusian society ready for changes?

– Most Belarusians do not support Lukashenka. As public polls show, the majority wants closer ties with Europe. Maybe not for the sake of ideals, but for a simple reason that, I don’t know why, potato, carrots and onions are cheaper in Poland. It doesn’t mean that the Belarusians will automatically support the opposition. But we must struggle for this.

Interview prepared by Piotr Kościński

Photo by Darek Golik