On Presidential “Elections”
I haven’t commented about the #1 news item from the last week, which was the announcement about the presidential elections date. Belarus’s lower house of parliament set 19 March 2006 as the date for next year’s presidential election, voting unanimously 104 - for, zero - against.
The date was set much earlier that it was expected (July’06). The main outcome of this decision is that Lukashenka chose a date which he thought was more comfortable to him, obviously. This decision leaves potential candidates with far less time to prepare for the presidential race. Hopefuls now have just three days (until 23 December) to meet the first requirement in the registration process — collecting the names of at least 100 supporters to form a nomination group.
Anyway, I personally think it doesn’t matter that much. IMHO, if the chances of the democratic oppoisition candidate Milinkevich winning against Lukashenka in these “elections” were 2% - 98%, then now they dropped to 1% to 99%. Some people might say I’m being too pessimistic, but I think I’m just a being a realist. The “elections” in itself won’t decide the outcome. Even if more than 50% of the eligible voters will cast their vote for Milinkevich, they will have to come out to the streets and prove their vote by street “voting” in front of Lukashenka’s riot police. Without them, Milinkevich is doomed. And I doubt that Belarusian people will come out.
The West and especially EU also seems to have resigned into thinking that Lukashenka will stay in power and so they are not doing anything to help in 2006. For example, European Commission screwed up with its media support: “EU Belarus radio station delayed as elections loom” The 2-million euro EU project was originally designed to start up in January, but will be launched in May, at the earliest, two months after the presidential elections.
EU bureaucracy is amazing, isn’t it?
December 21st, 2005 at 10:23 pm
Most of those who cared about it (including you and me) are abroad already.
December 22nd, 2005 at 4:06 am
:( I dont know what to do to help :( Yes Ive heard about the moving of this date as well… however I did hear that the lower house of parliament wasnt entirely unanimous… (like 2 votes against… not like it matters)… they’re all just a bunch of puppets controlled by luka… if he says jump they ask how high… I dont think its just a case of daring to vote against this dictator (which could be considered saying something bad against the state, which would have you end up in jail)… but also if these votes get counted at all. To my guesses… atleast 60% of the votes are false.
I still very strongly believe that luka WILL be gone soon, even if I have to make sure of it personally. To hear and see him play with people’s lives as if they’re his property… it makes me SO incredibly angry! Lives of people for whom I care very dearly!!!
December 22nd, 2005 at 5:11 am
Wanting to be an optimist as much as I can, I’m saddened more and more by all these constant piteous facts coming from Belarus.
As for EU’s scepticism about our elections, now British Economist Intelligence Unit predicted Luka would stay on his throne. Many other analysts chorused with them. And many Belarusian experts are just as pessimistic. And hence comes the European scepticism. Why should they believe in our victory once we don’t believe in it ourselves?
December 22nd, 2005 at 7:52 pm
I might put in that not only has the EU and the US seemed to have resigned themselves to five more years, I am also getting the feeling that there are some folks out in the west or are actually starting to admire Lukashenka’s moxie. I mean, putting in this new anti-demonstration law is as much a thumbing of the nose at the west’s desire to dictate policy in Belarus as it is an attack on the citizenry. And really, all it says to the west loud and clear is that he is in control of his country and they are not. And as you say, in the end, regardless of the noise, he will still be the president of Belarus.
However, I just finished a conversation with a very well traveled and knowledgeable guy about things Eastern European, and in his mind Belarus does absolutely have it better than Ukraine or Russia. And this includes specifically that things function and pension checks come in on time. And though it might be a case of Mussolini getting the trains to run on time, the trains are in fact running on time. This is not meant to come out as if I am a straight up advocate for the president, but it might be worth a thought to consider that there is no reality behind any alternative way of dealing with the meager resources Belarus actually has. Whether you like him or not, or even if you really think Milinkevich, though he never actually says what he is going to do, is all that and a bag of chips, there would not be any immediate major difference in the lifestyle of Belarus no matter what happens. And with press or without press, I think that the average Belarusian knows this.
Adam from the BHTimes
December 22nd, 2005 at 10:59 pm
“Sure, my children will be healthy but I dont know if they will be happy :(” Something someone told me once… (name withheld for privacy reasons) such words cut through you like a knife and I think says more than anything else I could possibly type in reply to you beinghad.
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:22 am
I am sorry }T{Reme [Q_G], but I do not fully understand what you are saying. If you are referring to a statement I myself have made concerning my children, I am not exactly sure you are quoting me accurately. I mean, to be sure I am extremely worried for my children’s lives as would any reasonable man, but I do not see the connection to what I have written here.
But please, please, please say to me what is on your mind. If you don’t like what I have said, say why? If you agree, say why? I don’t care if it is personal or to the point, but please do not withhold your thoughts on my account.
I understand you have strong feelings for Belarus and for their situation. I know that you want more from life, more chances, more opportunities; a better future. But you really need to understand that from my perspective, I do not see any golden lands out there any more. I lived in Poland (by force) for 10 months and with their level of corruption I didn’t see how they have such a great world to live in. And by the same token, the last time I was in Germany, I thought that they were absolutely nuts with their Euro inflation ($5 for fried potatoes and a coke). And of course I know without asking your opinion of George W. Bush. So I understand your anger, but there simply aren’t any “quick fixes”.
And by the way, you have a cool website. I am not that much into anime myself, but good luck to you.
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:20 pm
Sorry… that quote wasnt referring to you but to something someone very close told me one time. It was my comment on how well Belarus is doing economically and such compared to other countries. This difference in my opinion comes at a too high price. Especially if people say such things as what I qouted… I dont believe in golden lands or quick fixes either. However I do believe things can be changed, just have to want it enough is what I think.
Euro inflation was rather interesting where I live too. Its quite interesting that all prices are numerically the same here as they were before the euro… difference is that they prepended the euro sign instead. Didnt apply to wages tho… Took the government 5 years to even acknowledge this fact. Will take another 30 years before they even consider giving a compensation to people. Yes, same price for fried potatoes with a coke as well, have to pay extra if you want mayonaise or ketchup…
My opinion about Bush? lol… not entirely sure what that has to do with this topic but you are probably right :)
Thanks for your comment on the website, its not mine however. I assist in managing and maintaining it with a few friends.