Mikalai Kazlou: An Alternative to Lukashenka Exists in Belarus

The overwhelming majority of the population is not satisfied with the dictator.

The Acting Chairman of the United Civil Party (UCP), Mikalai Kazlou, stated that in an interview to Charter97.org. He is nominated by his fellow party members to take part in the primaries of the center-right coalition, which decide who would be the coalition's candidate for the next presidential elections.

- Why have you decided to participate in the primaries?

- One way or another, the UCP participated in political campaigns related to elections at different levels. It is explained by the fact that such campaigns give us additional opportunities to show our citizens an alternative in the country.

Since I am nominated by the UCP, it means that a large team of professionals will be involved in the election campaign. Besides the team, we have a substantial package of proposals for structural changes in Belarus. It involves a program of economic reforms "One Million Jobs", the Anti-Corruption Platform and many other things.

We want people s to know about them and to know that there is an alternative to Lukashenka in Belarus - the person who has been unsuccessfully trying to run the country for more than 20 years.

That's what I was guided by when I decided to participate in the primaries and presidential elections

- How is your plan for the primaries and, if you win, for the elections as a candidate from the center-right coalition?

- We plan to hold the primaries in the first half of this year. They will include meetings with voters organized by the UCP in the capital and regions of Belarus, an exchange of views on websites - a special secure information resource to eliminate a risk of frauds and manipulations.

If I win the primaries, I will pursue the campaign which targets at fighting for changes and for European, civilized Belarus.

I think the majority of our citizens realize that our country is historically a European country, and if we lag behind the Western world, the regime is to blame for its absolute rule of many years.

We should be guided by the fact that people in Belarus want changes and they need such an opportunity - to make changes in the country true.

- What is the difference between the situation and the one on the eve of "elections" in 2015?

- The core difference is the willingness of Belarusians to support an alternative to the ruling regime. It's already obvious that the majority is not satisfied with Lukashenka.

People got tired of more than 20 years of lawlessness and want only changes. Within this framework, the primaries meet expectations of our citizens, as they provide an opportunity to assess thoroughly the alternative to the current government and to choose the most decent person to participate in the further campaign.

We’d like a future single candidate of the opposition - regardless of what political camp he comes from - to go through the primaries. It would add bright colors to his political campaign.

- How do you intend to fight election frauds?

- It is known that there are no real, fair and democratic elections in Belarus. Unfortunately, we should be preparing for possible election frauds. In my opinion, the more desperate the situation of people in Belarus is, the more people become ready to defend their choice.

And yes, we will stand for every vote, for the opportunity to present people with an alternative to the current government.

I believe that the Belarusian people are already tired of the situation and will defend their choice. There's no other way. But to take to the streets, people should see the clear picture of what awaits us after the victory. They need to see a clear alternative of how Belarus may look like.