Lukashenko on election campaign: we will fight for our Belarus

In an exclusive interview with the First News TV Channel on the side-lines of the 2n Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko shared his opinion on the start of the election campaign

“I was afraid that our journalists would reproach me for being somehow relaxed, not in the mood, not having a fighting spirit,” the Head of State noted. “I can explain why I view the upcoming elections in a so calm manner. It is of a fundamental importance to me. There is no seizure of power, there is nothing of the kind here. Actually, I do not see anything wrong with the fact that the parties have nominated their own candidates. Parties should make their presence known, and the time will show whether they will win or not. So, the campaign has begun normally. It has not actually started, but the first step has been made. I think everything is fine with this step.”

"Of course, we will fight for our Belarus," the President concluded.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also commented on the people's flash mob – НАДО! [It Is Necessary!], in which Belarusians urge him to run for President, “When I saw and heard that, I asked [President’s press secretary Natalya] Esmont whether it was she who had organised that campaign. “Not me,” she swore, and I believe her, it's not her. Well, that's how people reacted.”

Creative people were the first to participate in the flash mob, and the President noted, “I was surprised: creative people in Zhlobin shouted ‘it is necessary’, and so it began to spread. I am happy if it is a general approval, but God forbid it is an organised campaign. There should be no extremes, so that we are not accused of some kind of leadermania.”