Viktar Marchyk: "Stop Petrol" Actions May Return

Oil price increase will siriously hit Belarusians' pockets.

The head of Belneftekhim group Andrei Rybakou says that gasoline prices should be raised by 23%. Such increase aims at price equalization on Belarusian and Russian markets.

The Charter97.org asked Viktar Marchyk, the motorist and the representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Slonim, to comment on the situation:

- Prices are too high even now. And if we consider the ratio between income and spendings, we pay more than Europeans. Given the fact that we miserable standard of living, many motorists will have to ride bicycles.

You know, many would be happy ride it, but we have no infrastructure: there are no cycle lanes, the legislation is not developed enough. Our traffic police stops cyclists when they drive along the road. First equip cities with cycle lanes, and then hold people liable.

- There are about 3 million motorists in Belarus. How can such decisions affect people's moods?

- I think that "Stop-Petrol" actions can start again. If people are pushed to the wall, no one will tolerate it. Diamond will cut diamond.