Expert: it is necessary to prevent Western interference in Belarus’ presidential campaign
Belarus has entered a new electoral period. Single Voting Day and the election of delegates to the Belarusian People's Congress are already in the past, but the presidential campaign is soon to be launched. The Chairman of the Central Election Committee, Igor Karpenko, said that – against the background of the future elections – fugitives who claim some kind of power in Belarus, even though staying abroad, are encroaching on the electoral sovereignty of the republic. In his talk with Alfa Radio, Director of the Centre for European Integration Yuri Shevtsov noted that it is necessary to prevent Western interference in the presidential campaign in Belarus or reduce its degree.
According to the political expert, the opposition really hopes to somehow influence the Belarusian presidential campaign. “Campaigns in Belarus are always accompanied by an attempt to overthrow Aleksandr Lukashenko, and the opposition has used all possible methods for that,” he noted. “Therefore, we have certain fears that something of the kind will be undertaken again, though through new methods.”
Mr. Shevtsov recalled that – when the colour revolution mechanisms were used against Belarus – the republic took retaliatory steps to prevent the overthrow of the government: i.e. no strata of oligarchs were formed in the country, and Belarusian officials could not make deposits in Western banks.
“This means that, during the colour revolution attempts, there was no split of the elites – who could become the basis for the success of the coup and paralyse the power in the course of the measures taken to neutralise it – in Belarus. In addition, in his constant ideological confrontation with the West, the President always demonstrates his readiness to go all the way. Everyone could see how that was manifested on 2020. There are actually not many leaders on the planet who are ready to go all the way and gather numerous supporters. A threat of a colour revolution makes us make a conclusion: the formation of an oligarchy and bureaucracy that depend on the fate of their capitals in the West should not be allowed. In addition, a leader should be in constant, albeit moderate, ideological confrontation with the West, since this guarantees the concentration of loyal people around him. This experience makes it possible to prevent colour revolutions, and it has already proved its viability. At present, a new set of tools to prevent a coup in Belarus is being formed. Tactical nuclear weapons are a part of it,” the expert added.
