Patient hasn’t regained senses

On Thursday Lukashenka holds consultations on burning issues of social and economic development.

The country expected concrete decisions on dollar exchange rate and beginning of reforms from these consultations.

Judging by the first quotes which appeared in the newslines of official informational agencies, the government is to continue pretending that nothing awful is happening in the country.

We remind that a few days before Moody’s international rating agency forecast the developments in Belarus. Judging by Lukashenka’s statements, the situation is to develop according to the pessimistic scenario: hyperinflation, multiple exchange rates, impossibility to invite external financing, and as a result, default of the banking system and the country in general.

We offer Lukashenka’s words on different questions of the hour.

There will be no currency

“We have 1.5-2 months to stabilize the foreign currency market. Totally! We don’t need people to listen and choose whether to trust or not; we need them to feel the policy has been determined, it will be continued and the situation will develop as the president will determine it.”

Fifth column is responsible for banks’ default

“We do not need to freeze bank accounts of individuals. This will not give anything... They again begin to plant rot on us – our fifth column from abroad assures that bank accounts will be froze tomorrow....They give us this idea to stir up people... I want people to understand: we will not do this, we did not need this.”

No meat in shops

“We have common economic area with Russia. The Ukrainian border is open, too. If we close the border today, someone will close the border for us tomorrow. Talks that police, border guards and customs officers will line up on the border and will now allow anyone to cross it are baloney.

More funny money to be printed

The policy of indexing allowances, pensions, scholarships and salaries taking into account inflation rate and price growth will be continued.

“Though we hear criticism for the increase in pensions and salary indexing, we need this policy and it will be continued. Can people eat normally, taking into account that we have sufficient production of milk and meat? Do people have enough money? I do not say that emission is needed as it was before. Money should be earned. But did we create conditions allowing people to earn money enough to feed himself and his family?”