Ukrainian Maidan discouraged Belarusians from protesting
This time, Alexander Lukashenko’s victory in the presidential elections may become the most convincing of all previous ones, writes Moskovsky Komsomolets.
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“On Sunday, October 11, Belarus will elect Lukashenko as head of state for the fifth time - the Constitution, amended in 2004, allows this,” the publication writes. – Legally, of course, the event is called differently: “election of the President of the Republic of Belarus.” But in essence, everyone understands that the elections will take place, but Lukashenko will remain. Moreover, this time his victory may be the most indisputable of all previous ones.”
The article recalls street protests in Minsk after the previous elections, but points out that this time the opportunity for them was no longer possible.
“And not because Lukashenko’s authorities were ready to nip them in the bud, but because the Belarusians themselves did not want to go to the streets,” the newspaper emphasizes. – “Thank you” to Ukraine – based on the terrible example of their neighbors, Belarusians felt that it was better to be poor, but without pogroms. Therefore, already at the first stage of the elections, the most persistent Belarusian opposition realized that there would be no breakthrough. And she didn’t really complain when their candidates were removed from the elections under false pretexts.”
“It’s not surprising that, for example, ten voters came to a meeting with Ataman Ulakhovich in Grodno,” the publication ironically says. – And half of them are OSCE observers. What can we say about voters if the candidate himself declares: “For the most part, the people have made a choice for whom to vote. They will vote for the one who provided them with peace. And you can't do anything about it. But I did my job as a candidate. I showed that there are other forces."
Belarusian experts also agree that the Ukrainian experience has become a kind of vaccination for Belarusians against the Maidans, even among those who do not have any special sympathy for Lukashenko.
“Of course, now the regime has become much softer,” Belarusian political scientist Valery Karbalevich commented on the situation in the republic for MK. – Not long ago the last political prisoners were released from prison. First of all, this is due to the fact that Belarusian society is frightened by the Ukrainian Maidan and does not yet want to protest, and if so, then why continue the repression? On the other hand, I believe that after the elections the regime will still return to its normal state and the screws will be tightened. Toughening of domestic policy will be expressed in restricting freedom of speech, preventing the opposition from entering government bodies, and so on.”
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