The Polish Economy vs. Lukashenka's Phobias

Is an "evolution development" better than a shock therapy?

Speaking at the 5th All-Belarusian Assembly, Lukashenka told about the situation in Belarus in early 90s. He said that "there were prerequisites to drive the country under external control, as well as attempts to cherry-pick of state property, and leave people with nothing".

- Fortunately, it did not happen in this country. We have chosen the way of evolutionary development, not a shock therapy, Lukashenka stated. It is obvious that he meant the experience of Poland, which took the way of market economy in 1989.

Belarusians have been repeatedly made afraid of experience of neighbours - Poles, Lithuanians, even Russians, who "destroyed" kolkhozs and plants, "wasted" and "made private" the best companies.

But the reality differs. For example, the latest news from Poland note another price reduction continued for the second year.

What has happened to our country with its evolutionary development? As of results of first six months, Belarus takes the first position in price-increase list among countries of the former USSR, then Kazakhstan and Russia follow.

It is noteworthy that Ukraine is in the price-decrease list.

Even in case of the shock therapy, the situation of Belarus would be poor. Today, the mandatory minimum salary in Poland is 4 times higher than that in Belarus. Moreover, the Polish minimum salary is about €120 higher than the average earning of a Belarusian.

Kirill Ivanov, Salidarnasts