“Coalition of six” still hesitates

The “coalition of six” is reported to have come to a common position regarding running in the 2012 parliamentary elections.

BelaPAN news agency has learned this from Leu Marholin, the co-chairman of the United Civil Party (UCP).

The consultation was held Minsk on January 23 with participation of representatives of the UCP, BPF party, the Belarusian left party “Fair World”, the organizing committee to create the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, For Freedom movement and Tell the Truth campaign.

According to Marholin, the “coalition of six” thinks “there are no signs that elections in Belarus can be held in compliance with European standards”. The opposition representatives name the release of political prisoners as an essential condition for holding democratic elections.

The “coalition of six” views the parliamentary elections as “a wide political campaign”, Marholin notes. “We must apply efforts to make maximum use of it,” the politician stressed.

The “coalition of six” plans to organize a wide public discussion focused on activity during the electoral campaign. If necessary, a congress of democratic forces will be held to approve a common position, Marholin says.

Marholin emphasizes the “coalition of six” does not “put a question whether to run in elections or not”. “Boycott is a form of running in elections supposing proposing representatives to electoral commissions, monitoring of elections and, probably, nominating candidates,” the politician explained.

The UCP co-chairman thinks there’s enough time before the parliamentary elections to “work out all approaches, present the authorities the conditions of participation of the opposition in the elections and given them time to react to these conditions.”

The leaders of the organizations of the “coalition of six” are expected to sign the draft declaration they approved today.