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Lidziya Yarmoshyna to EU: Go to hell, Lukashenka is my candidate

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Lidziya Yarmoshyna to EU: Go to hell, Lukashenka is my candidate

The chairperson of the Central Election Committee, who had been banned entry to the EU, told when she is going to retire, and to whom Crimea belongs.

Lidziya Yarmoshyna has answered questions of “The European Radio”.

- This question has been provoked by autumn viruses and illnesses: have you ever faced a situation when on the polling day or on the day you should visit Lukashenka, you had a terrible headache, a flu, lost your voice, and your back is aching too?

- I do not remember that. But I could say exactly that on the presidential election day in December 2010 I had an incredibly high pressure by the end of the day. And I felt really bad.

And when I left the TV studio of the live programme with so much pomp so to say, in reality I was a sick person. Not in terms of mental health, I simply was taken bad. Then I felt agitation, and excitement, and I had to hang on through that day… Frankly speaking, sometimes thoughts passed my mind: “My God, let me survive till the end of the day!” Or not be taken by an ambulance.

Such things unfortunately happen, and it is connected emotional stress. We have facts when chairmen of commissions died during elections – they died of strokes, heart attacks. That is why I completely agree that all illnesses are caused by stresses.

- Everyone thought that your leaving the TV studio “with so much pomp”, your phrase about borsch had been caused by questions and righteous anger after the events of that day, and now it turns out that the blood pressure is to blame!

- To a certain extent, high blood pressure made me impatient, but I was in control of myself completely. Though the decision to leave the TV studio was spontaneous, it was a totally conscious one. It happened in the following way: the House of Government was being stormed, while we were asked: “Is it democratic?” To my mind, it was too cynical. Members of the commission left by me were there as well, so how could I sit and contemplate whether that process was democratic.

- Just out of interest: have you ever had uncertainty before any presidential campaign, that your candidate would be elected?

- No, I have never had that. It was so as my candidate was so much higher than any other, in any rating, open or any else, that it could not be even discussed. And frankly speaking, he could not be compared to anyone.

There was a different thing: if I had any fears, they were about everything to happen smoothly, cleanly; and the main thing – for the election not to trigger any violent public disturbances, for a situation dangerous for the society not to be provoked. As for the results of the elections, I never doubted them.

- Many times you said that we have a democratic electoral code, and all elections are held democratically. Could it be said that the election in 2015 is to be even more democratic than in 2010?

- Your question contains a special underlying message, for me to be trolled by Internet later, but they are going to do so anyway! More and more democratic. It reminds a well-known Sveta from Ivanovo, who said that we are wearing better and better clothes.

However, I can say that we are changing the laws, which improves the conditions for holding the elections. I know perfectly well, that no one is going to be satisfied by the make-up of election commissions ever. Opposition will be not satisfied, and there are too many representatives of nomenklatura (the governing establishment) there. And the nomenklatura will never let a great number of “freelance artists” join them. The reason is that these people are taking part in meetings, but they do not want to work. And in fact, they are working to thwart normal atmosphere in the work of election commissions. Grudges are to start at this stage already.

- You could have invited opposition leaders and find an agreement: we will give 50% of seats in election commissions to you, if you guarantee that normal and sane people are sent there!

- It is possible only in the society where opposition is a structural part of the society. If they are represented in the parliament, in the government – then an agreement is concluded with them, and a certain consensus is found.

Our opposition is simply a part of dissatisfied society, they are not structured at all, they are amorphous, and it is impossible to imagine, how many are they, and who these people are. It is impossible to conduct any talks with anyone, as officially these people do not exist. They exist in a certain social and political context. Maybe this name is too loud for the social unit which calls itself opposition.

- Do you think about becoming a deputy yourself?

- No, I will not go there. When I will vacate this position, (be released, as prisoners say), I would have to think about the deserved rest.

- And when the deserved rest is to start? Have you received any signals?

- The tradition of our state organism is that no one puts out a feeler too far into the future. Young people may throw an angle for decades ahead, and we are not so young people, and we live by short periods of time.

The term of rotation is the end of 2016, and I think that the head of the state is to decide then. I have not received any signals concerning the work after December 2016. I am working, but I am working with open eyes, and I think that any decision adopted about me would be well-founded. I cannot have any complaints or resentment.

- And there are some rumours that Yarmoshyna may meet even the new year, 2015, as a pensioner…

- When there was a conversation about my appointment, the head of state said: “One shouldn't change horses in midstream”. And I am that horse, probably. The matter concerned the future election campaigns, the presidential one in 2015 and the parliamentary election in 2016. So those who dream of my absence in this position soon, are too hasty, it is to happen later.

- You are not a curious person: you do not ask what rumours had reached my ears!

- First of all, I understand that your questions are often provocative, and their aim is to cause overreaction, as provocations are always answered daringly, and it could be used.

And secondly, I look at life and my position in life and at my work philosophically. It is also demanded by my age. And in addition, there are so many unjustified rumours, so what’s the use of it… Let them be passed.

- Have you ever thought about seeking to exclude you from the list of persons banned entry to the EU by a court decision?

- I think that as long as I work in the Central Election Commission, I am added to this list eternally, so why should I demean myself! They do not explain anything!

A member of the CEC showed a decision of the European Tribunal: “To upheld visa sanctions, as she is a member of the CEC.” It’s because of the fact of being the commission member, and not because any guilt of her had been proved.

If restriction of rights is connected with the place of work, it is pointless to go to court. So there will be no Paris, it is clear!

- Not a big deal, a few years ago you flew to Vienna on the invitation of the OSCE, despite the restriction of rights!

- But it was a special permission, they tried so hard to get it! And they warned in the airport, that the Austrian visa does not give me the right to cross the border. To use such a visa… let them go to hell, these are such humiliations!

- So are you going to refuse next time?

- If it would be necessary for my motherland, I will say everything needed, and I will fly where my motherland would order me to fly. It is necessary: to inform and communicate the official point of view. But I would not have a euphoria about that.

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