Andrei Sannikov: Belarusians Were Against Lukashenka Back In The 90s

The dictator was supported by a minority.

The leader of the European Belarus civil campaign Andrei Sannikov dispelled the myth about Lukashenka's popularity before 2020.

In a commentary for the Voice of America, the opposition politician said that the dictator was not popular with Belarusian voters back in 2001. “Back in the 90s, I was shown closed KGB poll data, according to which Lukashenka gained support of 30% on average across the country, and only 20% in Minsk. At one time, cheap energy from Russia allowed Lukashenka to live quite comfortably, and he did not rob the people as brazenly as he does today. Some balance was maintained — they did not like him, but they did not protest against his rule either. And starting in 2008, when Belarus found itself on the brink of default, there was no support, so force had to be used every time there were popular protests,” Andrei Sannikov testified.

Today, in his opinion, there is no support for the Lukashenka regime inside the country, it is maintained only by violence. “The situation is terrible – arrests, trials every day. On the other hand, this is an indicator of that animal fear when victims are needed in order to convince oneself that one is in control of the situation. Lukashenka controls only the scumbag law-enforcers of his,” Sannikov emphasized.

In his opinion, one of the important conditions for the fall of the regime of the self-proclaimed president of the Republic of Belarus will be the victory of Ukraine in the war with Russia. “The majority of Belarusians are on the side of Ukraine, although openly expressing this support is now considered a crime. And in general, the resolution of many problems in the region is tied to Ukraine, and this will be a defining event. Belarus may also flare up, because today the regime brazenly and self-confidently interferes in the lives of people, even those close to it,” the Voice of America interlocutor continues.

In addition, arrests are still ongoing throughout the country, not only of oppositionists remaining in Belarus, but also of those whom the authorities suspect of even the slightest disloyalty. And this trend even concerns law-enforcers, their families, friends and loved ones. “People will not be able to exist for long under such oppression, everything can explode, any pretext will do. Lukashenka is completely subordinate to Putin, and today they are still developing the plan for the participation of Lukashenka’s army units in the aggression on the territory of Ukraine together with the Russian army.This could also be a reason for an explosion in the region — Belarus, and even in Russia. The dynamics of the processes are quite active and some decisions will inevitably be made,” Andrei Sannikov believes.

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