Mikhail Chyhir: Where are we going?

The former Prime Minister is at a loss with Lukashenka’s actions.

Mikhail Chyhir, who headed Belarus’ government in 1994-1996, critically assesses the state of affairs in the economy: “I can see only one technique – rise in prices. It should not be like that!”

- I as a common citizen do not like what is taking place now in Belarus’ economy, - Mikhail Chyhir told the Salidarnasc. – I can see only one technique in the sphere of economy – the rise in prices and tariffs. This should not be like that! Our prices are higher than the European for a large number of items. Compare Poland and Belarus. How is that? Where are we going?

The former Prime Minister believes that the authorities should seriously analyze the reasons for the high prices of Belarusian goods.

- Why is that that we have the gas and energy resources prices much lower than the neighbors, but the price of the final product is much higher? People go to Poland, see and know the situation very well. Such an overwhelming difference! - Mikhail Chyhir pointed out. The authorities must answer the question: why? They should name the reasons for how due to the difference in the energy resources price in our favor the prices for finished products for the population end up being not in our favor. Some reserves should be looked for, possibilities.

At the same time the former Prime Minister is not inclined to put all the blame on the Council of Ministers.

- We have another government –president’s administration, which makes many decisions. Decisions that, I take it, Miasnikovich cannot influence. Although he should fight that, we do not observe that happening, - Mikhail Chyhir noted.

He told how in the times of his being the Prime Minister he made independent decisions, circumventing Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s instructions.

- Unlike today in the 90-ies we had to raise the prices, since they were extremely low and did not cover the cost price of goods. I waited for the president to leave the country and made such a decision. Lukashenka was terribly mad at me, although we were far behind Europeans in the time in terms of prices. Now, as we have surpassed the European prices, he does not react like he did then, he agrees to everything, - Mikhail Chyhir told the Salidarnasc. – Someone should stop the unrestrained price growth. I think it first of all should be the government to do that.