Alyaksandr Lahvinets: United Opposition and Party Interests are Different Things :: Charter'97 :: News

A political analyst Alyaksandr Lahvinets has commented a denial of Alyaksandr Milinkevich to take part in the Congress of democratic forces in March this year.

- Is the united opposition coalition to miss much in case of Milinkevich’ absence?

- We should proceed from a fact that the coalition is more declarative than real for today. A struggle of interests, a struggle of ambitions exists. And we also have a leader who is the most familiar to the society, who really can be an alternative to the regime, despite of a certain disenchantment of the society. This leader is Alyaksandr Milinkevich. The united opposition and party interests are different things.

- Are Belarusian parties influential? Do they represent a real force?

- We should admit that parties have a certain number of activists. Party leaders possess certain legitimacy, as they head certain structures. However because of the regime’s policy, these parties are mostly membership clubs. Parties’ legal status and headquarters are their important contribution. Something more wide which could unite pro-democracy people in action, should be present in the situation of Belarus. The framework of a party is too narrow for that.

- Do you mean that an idea of a movement creation makes sense?

- It is obvious. No matter how it would be called, but a concrete action aimed at destabilisation of the undemocratic, authoritarian regime should be present.