Lyavon Barshcheuski: This is not an election – this is a fiction

There are no elections. And one cannot participate in something that does not exist, thinks Lyavon Barshcheusky.

Today, the interlocutor of charter97.org is a Member of Parliament in 1991-1995, linguist and teacher Lyavon Barshcheusky.

- A young generation grew up during the Lukashenka regime that didn’t see anything but the Youth Union. So is there any hope for the youth, that they could change something?

- I think that among young people, who have become older since the time of independence, there will be some people who, under certain favorable conditions, in particular under the weakening of the political system, will be able to take on leadership roles and bring people together. So I would not say that today’s youth is such hopeless. It was hard to say what a Czech youth was in 1988. It also seemed to be passive, subordinate to the regime. And then everything came into motion, leaders were found, youth supported them, changes happened.

- What can unite the people against the regime?

- Unfortunately, people usually become united after a very bad cause: disasters, etc. It’s like how, in principle, the Chernobyl disaster affected the creation of some opposition in the late 80's. God forbid another Chernobyl or something like that here. But some things which outrage the community and will really outrage all, so that even BT could not fight against this ... What are these things, it's hard to say.

- Can we hope that the language and culture will unite Belarusians?

- Language and culture can unite only the part that can take the responsibility. This part must exist, because a spontaneous and uncontrolled riot will be even worse than the current government. And so the language and culture should unite a responsible part of society. Sometimes some of our publicists expressed that the language is needed for those who cannot do anything, except it. If this is expressed unconsciously - it is forgivable, but if it is done deliberately - it's just a crime.

- Maybe we should try to take a place in the "parliament" and then start the fight?

- I was always in favor of participation in elections. If there are no elections, then it makes no sense. But there are no elections since 1995. I supported the boycott in 2000 and in 2004, I was, however, persuaded to go as an observer, but I warned that this is not an election - it's a fiction. Presidential elections is another case (this was not the election), but there arises a situation in society and a sense that maybe something will change. And then the president will not be a president anymore, and suddenly changes will come. Here is another reason for the mobilization of society. But this is also highly questionable. There are no elections here, and one cannot participate in something that does not exist..

- Since we have no time to loose, what activities would you suggest to the active citizens?

- Now is far more effective to go with an issue of an independent newspaper and agitate for it, than to go to every home, telling everyone that I am a good candidate.

- Will the opposition have any use of these "elections"?

- Definitely. Those people who will go against the non-participation, whose names will remain in the ballots, in my opinion, just have different goals with all the major opposition forces. It’s understood. Four years ago it was said that the West, supposedly, will recognize the elections, if the opposition will not participate. That time I argued that the West is not as stupid as people think here. And there was no recognition of these "elections". But then the majority was in favor of participation of those who wanted. Now the situation is unambiguous. There are no arguments at all now. The West does not recognize this "elections". And if you want to convey your messages, they still sell "Narodnaya Volya" and "Nasha Niva" in kiosks. Write to these newspapers.

- Is it possible to justify those who participate in the "elections"?

- Now there are much less argument, than in 2008. In fact, there are no arguments. By the way, this is the case, when the "fifth column" of the opposition manifests itself by going, with no arguments, to this "elections". What might be the possible arguments? They are being pushed by someone we do not know. Why do they keep the names of those who push them in a secret? So, on September 23 there will be a division, and one should not care anymore about empty conversations with people, who deliberately go against the general line from year to year, and try to unite on the basis of ignoring government activities, planned and funded.