Lyavon Barshcheuski: “We must be at October square of Minsk at 8.00 pm September 28”

“There wasn’t, no and won’t be election. We should demand holding new, really fair and democratic election,” leader of the Belarusian Popular front Lyavon Barshcheuski told in an interview to the Charter’97 commenting on results of the party council on September 20.

As the Charter’97 press center has already informed, the BPF council reformulated its previous decision on withdrawal party MP candidatures from the “parliamentary election”.

On August 30, the council decided that BPF candidates for members of the “parliament” must withdraw from the “election campaign” not later than September 23. This point was changed at the session on September 20. According to this decision, MP candidates may withdraw from “election”.

However, a decision was also reached at the council that every party candidate who is going to run in the “election” to the end, must sign a statement saying he or she considers this “election” to be unfree and unfair, and will never recognise the “house of representatives” a legitimate body. In this statement every candidate must give arguments explaining his or her position. The main argument is non- banned access to polling station election commissions for opposition parties members. A candidate should also name the violations of the election legislation, he or she has faced during the work in the constituency.

“We have left a decision on running or non-running in the “election” at the discretion of the BPF candidates. I assure you, a considerable part of the candidates will withdraw from the “election”. Those, who voted against the withdrawal, felt international and inner pressure. Though I’d like to note that conditions of carrying on the “election campaign” haven’t improved but become worse. People who have no firm political position stand for running in the “election”, and my eloquence wasn’t enough to make them change their mind,” party leader Lyavon Barshcheuski noted after the session.

Some experts think position of the “For Freedom” movement’s leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich is strong among the BPF party members. He always stands against boycott of the election farce by opposition candidates. Lyavon Barshcheuski said to this:

“Yes, a course of Milinkevich has won in this situation, but there’re few supporters of Milinkevich in the party. A number of our old members yielded to emotional arguments of some candidates, who said they would run in the “election” to the end and reveal the facts of the results rigging. Though we understand most of them are not able to do it, just some of them. I am upset with the decision of the council, but I can’t do anything. I think the “election” will clear the air.”

The leader of the BPF party said all party members would go to October square of Minsk on September 28.

“A decision on coming to October square at 8.00 September 28 was taken at the level of the United Democratic Forces. Of course, I will be at the square. The BPF recommend its members to do the same. Everyone should go to the square. There wasn’t, no and won’t be election. We should demand holding of new, really fair and democratic election.”