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Henadz Fiadynich: It’s Better for Lukashenka to Resign Before the Elections

Henadz Fiadynich: It’s Better for Lukashenka to Resign Before the Elections
Photo: praca-by.info

Belarusians have changed.

The leader of the Independent REP Trade Union, Henadz Fiadynich, stated this in an interview with Charter97.org.

- What do you think are the main features of today's presidential campaign?

- This is not the first political campaign that I observe. However, something unprecedented is happening in Belarus this year.

A number of potential presidential candidates, who were not nominated by either party, movement or organization, are active on the political field today. One should agree that it hasn't happened for a long time.

It's noteworthy that people are happy to sign for any candidate but Lukashenka. This is also an important indicator of this campaign and the changes taking place in society.

Finally, an essential symptom is that the authorities gave up their nerves earlier than usual and started making provocations against possible presidential candidates who had not even been registered yet. This only shows how great and dangerous the potential of our citizens is for the authorities as they gather in different cities in huge lines on pickets to collect signatures.

- Your union is in regular contact with ordinary employees of the enterprises. How do people of labour feel now?

- First of all, people have started to speak in public about their protracted problems. That is why they stand for hours in endless lines for pickets of alternative candidates. It's enough to watch streams from small towns to see whom and for what the ordinary Belarusians blame first.

Naturally, people will never forget and forgive Lukashenk with his decrees that introduced a contract system and then fixed it in the new Labour Code. It's not even a Code but a revised set of decrees to enslave and force the entire working class and public sector employees. There is no doubt that people will not forgive the authorities for this and will seek its abolition.

Moreover, the attitude of people to the authorities today is extremely negative. Citizens' self-consciousness has awakened, while the authorities persistently refuse to consider us citizens. The authorities do not want to understand that people have changed and now give state officials the role of people who solve people's problems.

This tired style of leadership, the same person on TV only irritates people. His reprimands of governors or district leaders incite nothing but greater desire to change it all. That's why people don't take this power and openly say it both at pickets, meetings with our trade union representatives.

As a result, we increasingly observe how employees of state enterprises, who are forced to sign for Lukashenka, refuse to do this or withdraw their signatures later. It happens all over the country. Workers of Navahrudok housing and communal services, as well as residents of Mahiliou region, employees of the agricultural complex from Kamenets district, have shown good examples. People's self-esteem has come afloat and the authorities won't be able to curb the situation.

It would be better for Lukashenka to leave his post even before the elections.

- Are there leaders in Belarus who are ready to take responsibility for changes?

- You know, I think that at the stage of collecting signatures some of the potential candidates have to take a more smooth position. They have to do it; they have little space for a manoeuvre.

People should be confident in the person they signed for. Showing confidence in an alternative politician, people have the right to know what this candidate is advocating: just bring minor changes or make changes that will add Belarus to the number of European countries.

I hope that soon the protest candidates should represent themselves if they want to justify the people's trust and speak on their behalf.

When they formally become presidential candidates and they will be able to hold meetings and rallies, then they just have to speak out clearly in support of political prisoners, consult with people, seek support from the people and protect not only those who are in prison today, but also their voters who have believed in their program.

It is necessary to clearly understand that Belarusians have long been ready for changes and there is a huge demand for it in society.

- How can one achieve changes in this case?

- First, people should have a clear understanding that the alternative candidate advocate for their interests and votes.

Secondly, such a politician should have his people in the precinct election commissions for them to record the electoral victory.

Finally, the victory and votes of people need protection by all legal means, including mass rallies. This is the only way to make the authorities listen to the citizens.

For example, the same Viktar Babariko recently said: "If my voters say, 'Let's go to the square,' I'll go".

No, if you're a people's candidate and you come to power for the sake of changes in Belarus, you shouldn't say if people go, I'll go with you. If you have information that the elections will be falsified or have already been falsified, it means that you, as a people's candidate, should call people to protect your legitimate rights and interests.

Not "to be with them," but to head people in the Square, to make sure that people are with you and follow you. These are different things.

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