Steering Committee Of Democratic Forces Congress Asks Premises From Minsk City Executive Office

It has also been decided to change the name of the event for the Belarusian National Congress.

On April 27, representatives of the steering committee for holding the Congress of the Democratic Forces Mikalai Statkevich and Henadz Fiadynich have filed an application for the premises rental for holding the event, planned on May 15, to Minsk city executive committee.

Statkevich has informed to BelaPAN news agency that the event is believed to gather at least 500-600 participants.

— We addressed to Minsk city executive committee asking to provide us any premises at the territory of Minsk city, capable of admission such number of people, — he said.

The politician has informed that the steering committee tried to find the venue by their own, taking advantage of the fact there were representatives of registered organizations with the right to conduct indoor gatherings without the authorities’ permission, in the squad.

— It all ended when “the comrades” strongly recommended not to rent premises to us, so those who were ready to do this at first, refused later on. So we are addressing directly to the authorities: let them provide us the premises then. In case they don’t, we will hold the Congress in the open air, — Statkevich has said.

It has also become known that the steering committee for holding the Congress of the Democratic Forces decided to change the name of the event.

— We have taken the decision to correct the name of the congress because we will recommend the delegates to consider the congress a constant acting unification of the democratic forces. The Congress of Democratic Forces seems a one-time event. Therefore, we changed the name for the Belarusian National Congress, — Statkevich has clarified.

According to the politician, the delegates will be offered to elect a constant body – the council of the congress, and to include representatives of the regions and the central bodies of democratic parties and organizations.

Holding of the democratic forces congress with an aim to consolidate the opposition was initiated by a group of famous public figures on December 17, 2015. On the next day, Mikalai Statkevich, Uladzimir Niakliaeu and Stanislau Shushkevich announced setting up the steering committee for preparation of the congress. Apart from the above, the committee includes Zmitser Dashkevich, Viachaslau Siuchyk, Andrei Sannikov, Henadz Fiadynich and Mikhail Pastukhov.