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Arseni Chyhir: The Current Government Has the Lowest Ratings

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Arseni Chyhir: The Current Government Has the Lowest Ratings
Photo: SVABODA.ORG

A minor event can lead to changes.

The activist of the European Belarus civil campaign from Babruisk Arseni Chyhir stated that in an interview with Charter97.org. He was an active participant of the protest campaign during the "parliamentary elections" late last year. A meeting with presidential candidate Viktar Babariko was recently held in Babruisk.

- What has changed in the country and the city over this time?

- I think that people are just sick and tired of their opinion being ignored. Residents of the regions already hold on to a more radical position than Minskers. It wasn't typical for previous election campaigns.

I can even say that the reaction of the residents of Babruisk is tolerant against the events in the country. Luninets residents, for example, firmly responded to Lukashenka, and local media shoot it on video.

Belarusians no longer believe in the current authorities, so they speak out and express their opinion. People are very angry at Lukashenka and his officials. This power does not correspond to the Belarusians' ideas about how it should be like in our country.

Let us take the situation with the coronavirus: people do not trust the information provided by the state in connection with the epidemic. It's no secret that real coronavirus statistics are being suppressed. These are not just numbers. Every fake report conceals the deaths of someone's relatives and friends.

The break-out of mind occurred at some point. It's like we thawed out. More people in Babruisk are not afraid to speak to independent media at pickets for alternative presidential candidates. For example, it happened at Viktor Babariko's picket on June 15. Pensioners, entrepreneurs and young people spoke out there. For the first time, so many people openly expressed their civic position.

All this has been brewing gradually, people have long accumulated a powerful charge of discontent.

- What has specifically contributed to this sentiment in your city?

- One of the highlights of this spring was an attempt to hold an "anti-parade" in Babruisk. Then many Babruisk resident and people from other cities participated in it.

Medical professionals at Babruisk Emergency Hospital added fuel to the fire. They were the first to rise in rebellion against the authorities, causing a chain reaction of physicians across the country. It became the last nail in the coffin. The way physicians kicked the BT crew away inspired many people.

Now, any words about the lawlessness concerning health workers cause a severe reaction in society, because these people are on the front line. The authorities promised them extra payments and then failed to keep the promise. Naturally, the people took the side of medical professionals and the trust in the authorities blurred even more.

It happened invisibly and now it is impossible to play back. People strongly declare a change of power. It happens in Babruisk and other cities.

- I've repeatedly heard that change will come when ordinary workers take to the streets in mass, as it was on the eve of the 1990s. Babruisk is a large industrial centre. Do workers make any signals today?

- I can tell how it looks like at the example of the Krasny Pishchevik Company where I work.

Workers have a clear picture of the events in Belarus. People feel that most businesses in the country are loss-making and it is becoming increasingly difficult to support their families. However, that is not the most outrageous thing. Ordinary workers are outraged by the lawlessness of the authorities. People want the authorities to show respect, listen to their opinion. What do they observe instead? Badly rehearsed provocations, lies, shows... It is no longer taken as a picture on the TV but as a personal insult.

Workers of Miskashevichy Granit have recently stated that they are ready to take to the Square in case of election fraud. Do you see? It's not about salaries, but elections.

Salihorsk miners act the same...

As for Babruisk, we have workers at our enterprises who are quite radical and very outraged. I doubt that even their jobs will stop them. The number of such people is growing compared to previous years.

We have a chance to make a difference.

- One of your city residents said if Lukashenka did not leave, the people would rise. What can motivate people not just to speak out at pickets but to fight for changes?

- I think it can be a minor reason. Any unexpected event can be a catalyst for the disgruntled masses. It will cause a chain reaction in the regions; people will take to the streets against Lukashenka.

Then everyone will realize that the police can't hold us back. No one can stop this process as the situation turned spikiest in the regions.

On the other hand, activists must remember: to convince the others, one must give a lead and step up first. We are trying to reach people with our ideas for a long time.

In the course of my work, I have realized an important thing: a minor event can inflame people in our society. However, the key point is that the current government has the lowest ratings at the moment.

The ruler has turned into a "Sasha 3%". People do not believe that even all his manipulations can help him collect the number of signatures needed for participation in the elections. They demand him not to participate in these elections at all. It's hard to find someone who would consider him a legitimate candidate.

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