Belarusian authorities stake on national idea :: Charter'97 :: News

On July 3 the official Independence Day is celebrated. The day before at a solemn meeting Alyaksandr Lukashenka called independence important achievement of the nation. Experts note that after energy row with Russia in the beginning of this year the topic of independence is heard more and more often in speeches of the leadership of the country. Stating the importance of strengthening sovereignty, the regime has started the game at the field where opposition traditionally acted, a Russian newspaper “Vremya novostej” writes.

“A great goal, to build a strong and flourishing Belarus, unites is. Belarusian people are able to overcome hardships, to reach high standards of living, to improve international standing of the country, to reinforce sovereignty and independence of Belarus,” Lukashenka said. In his speech the ruler called equal cooperation with Russia a priority of foreign policy. He named a dozen of other countries considered most important partners by Minsk. Lukashenka underlined self-sustainability of Belarusian economy, noting that the growth of GDP since the beginning of the year had been reached by the work of the real sector of economy, which is “a hundred times harder than the growth thanks to oil and gas”.

The events dedicated to July 3 last for a few days. Beside Lukashenka’s address at a solemn meeting, the president took part and won the ski-roller race. On July 3 a military parade is planned. According to its organizers, the parade is to turn into a civic pageantry. A number of less formal events, including contest in baking pancakes and throwing of mobile phones, are to be held as well.

The declaration of independence of Belarus was signed on July 27. However, at the highest point of integration process with Russia in 1996, Independence Day was changed for July 3, on the day of Minsk liberation from the Nazi invaders. Now the government returns the initial meaning to the holiday. Recently a Belarusian version of the site of the Belarusian president was presented. Besides, Minsk was decorated by posters “For independent and flourishing Belarus”.

An address of members of an initiative group on organizing a pro-regime party, a republican public association “Belaya Rus”, had the same slogan. “Supporting the state policy of a people’s president Alyaksandr Lukashenka, we, representatives of all regions and different social groups, address citizens to join forces for further strengthening and flourishing of our motherland, Belarus,” the document reads.

“After an energy row with Russia, Belarusian authorities are looking for a new footing, not only in the international arena, but inside the country, too,” an independent Belarusian sociologist Aleh Manaeu commented the initiative to “Vremya novostej”. He noted that the search for a foothold includes both a search for a public association supporting the regime, and exploiting the national idea.

“The regime tried to maneuver because of energy price hike and problems in economical situation,” Belarusian political analyst Alyaksandr Klaskouski said to “VN”. Analysts underline that the leadership of the country started to exploit the national idea which had been considered an oppositional for many years. As said by Mr Manaeu, “the peculiarity of official nationalism is that the regime wants a monopoly on using the idea of independence”.

How effective could be using the national idea for uniting the society? “Today we can talk only about a sham consolidation of the society. The society is still polarized as before. But earlier the line of confrontation was in the issue on independence and national renaissance. And now the main point of contradiction between the regime and opposition are problems of democratic reforms and market transformations,” A. Klaskouski told to “VN”.