The current presidential campaign in Belarus is one of the most scandalous in history. After the arrest of two potential rivals of the incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko — blogger Sergei Tikhanovski and banker Victor Babariko — the country was gripped by mass protests. Another opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo went to Russia to escape persecution. These candidates — most promising — refused to register, and then their staffs, like other opponents of Lukashenka, decided to rally around Svetlana Tikhanovski, which took the place of her husband in the presidential race. In an interview with “the Ribbon.ru” the leader of the opposition spoke about the fatigue of the Belarusians Lukashenka evaluated the possibility of revolution in the country and revealed his Outlook on the future relations of Belarus and Russia.
of Why anyone, but not Lukashenko
a “the Tape.ru”: Why Belarusians to come to polling stations to vote for you? Do you think that can be better than Lukashenko as President?
Svetlana Tikhanovski: I’m better than Lukashenko, at least what I post leave. I’m not gonna dwell on it for so long. Return to the previous Constitution (in the original edition 1994) I’ll give people their constitutional rights. The Belarusians will have the freedom of expression, the right choice will be limited to the tenure of the President in office. So it will definitely be better — in our country is changing, where people are waiting for a very long time.
but You are a man without political experience and impressive team. Belarusian voter, as you know, passive. How are you going to push the silent majority to action?
You probably know more about our Belarus. We were silent, we were obedient, but this year everything has changed, believe me. All this went on. Over the past year the people woke up. So many factors affect what people back self-awareness and self-esteem. We feel the people who comes to the aid of each other. In the midst of a pandemic coronavirus, we, the citizens, raised money for masks for doctors.
When the arrests started, our staff has offered assistance for the payment of fines. If the family lost their breadwinner, husband or father, which worked, but was detained, and the family was left without means of livelihood, our people helped with money. They began to feel that they are protecting other people, not the state. People began to come to each other for help, this never happened before. The phenomenon did not exist.
but now where did he come from?
We have a very high demand for change, we are tired to live under the same government, which is rude instead of protect your people. Our current President could humanly say that we are not able to deal with COVID-19, because we have an unstable economic situation. But no — we are told that the fashion industry just yet: “You see it? I don’t see it then no.” Authorities called off the mask with muzzles. When he died an old man — us TV screens began to say that he is guilty, why went for a walk, if he has so many sores…
You admit the opportunity to participate in street protests? Revolution is possible in the country?
Depends on what you call revolution. What is a revolution? Revolution is when people take up arms and go to capture state institutions. Here is a revolution. We are peaceful people. We have no weapons, no intention somehow to shed blood. We want to do everything peacefully and honestly. And the fact that now we show the troops who is the current President demonstrate exercises for the crackdown is simply a method of intimidation.
And I’m sure the troops will not go against his own people, they do not go against mothers, wives, children, fathers. You think they like that they are forced to leave against civilians? Forces must serve the country and not one person. This year we are all together, all United, we understand that the majority of us. And people who are now on the ground, police officers, riot police and soldiers — they also understand this. And they just step over your fear (I don’t know what they are guided) and just will not execute a criminal order if he will be given.
but you’ve decided not to boycott the elections. I believe that you can win in the voting?
No, elections will still be rigged. But, fortunately, we live in a country where developed many methods to prove that we are more [than the supporters of the incumbent President] that the election results were rigged. Honest, legitimate way to prove it. We have many projects for this.
For example?
The online platform “the Voice” (to protect votes, on the website, you can send a picture of your ballot and confirm your choice — approx. “Of the tape.ru”). There are more primitive ways (shows the hand where tied white ribbon — approx. “Of the tape.ru”), but more significant. Because already on the way to the polling stations, people will see other people with ribbons and realize that we are together. This is very important.
All snort: what they do with these bracelets do? And this is the spirit of the people, you know? We come [to the polls], many of us, and we understand that ready one by one to stand. We made this decision. We are many and our voices need to be taken into account.
And not to go to vote early, he also need not to obey the boss who threatens dismissal. Everyone has their own fear. Someone it is small, someone — more. I’m scared too, but I go to the polls. Going for husband, for children, for the people of Belarus. And everyone needs to do this year is to step through the StRAH.
a If the CEC will announce the winner of the election Lukashenko that you plan to take?
Will double-check the ballots and prove that we have more. Will photos and video recording [of violations]. In this way we prove that the CEC we were deceived that the elections were rigged. I don’t understand how, if the CEC will bring a statement about the crime five or six million people, [affirming] that we voted for Tikhanovski, to say that we are only 100 thousand. It’s not true. We are is our voice. We’ll see how we can do it.
but In which case you acknowledge the victory of Lukashenka?
Do not consider this scenario. You can see what is happening in the country. I can not judge about the rating because I can’t stand his voice as a presidential candidate. But it’s obvious. Let’s see how many people come to the pickets. People believe they know what the majority of us. How many of [the residents] did not reach [the pickets], for whatever their reasons. But you cannot cheat the will of the people.
the action Plan
but Is it possible to replace the existing regime without the power of the script? Do you think Lukashenko himself so just give up power, given the huge administrative resource?
We have never had a transition of power to another President, so how it all happens — I don’t know. I think that people will congratulate me with the victory, will give me a certificate of inauguration of the President of the Republic of Belarus. That’s all — then everything will be fine. Why not? Yeah, it’s hard to imagine, because we did not have this ever. But it has to happen. Why not this year?
but In case of your winning, you are ready to ensure Lukashenka’s security as a former President?
What do you mean by security? From the moment Tikhanovski takes office, Belarusians will not be missed on the streets just like that. We will not pull people out of queues and to plant because they expressed their civil position. Here is the safety. What do you mean by security Lukashenka? He is in danger of some kind is?
a refers to the time when he will leave the post, will resign, when it will no longer protect under the control of the authorities, the security services and the police. In this case, he will be protected from harassment, incidents different? Because it is an important psychological factor — people are afraid to leave the post of President, in order not to lose benefits.
Don’t even know how to answer this question. If physical violence [is it], I think he will probably have some minimal protection to ensure that any excesses, as you put it, to avoid.
but with regard to your safety… You have removed their children from Belarus. This is a precaution? Or you continue to be a threat?
No, I was threatened only once by phone. I realize now that it was a method of influence on me, he almost flooded the whole campaign. I was ready to go, because everyone understands that children for women is the most important. And then I started to take all steps to evacuate, because they understood that my children are not protected by law, is not physically protected in this country. My priority was that they were safe. If the children were at home now, it would be possible to manipulate them, this is the easiest way.
but the Fact that among the leaders of the United opposition now no more men — a deliberate decision? To fight against the women’s team is the current leader was more difficult?
(Smiles.) No, you guys. Some think it was some kind of plan that it has long been discussed. Actually no. It just happened. My man planted, then Victor Babariko, then husband of Veronika Tsepkalo started receiving nasty calls that it can put. It so happened that the men are not left on this journey. But we, as loyal women, daring — I wasn’t, but it doesn’t matter — got this way.
Each went his own way, and at one point I got a call from the headquarters of Babariko and asked me if I wanted to talk to. I came with his Trustees, had two staff in the collection of Babariko and Tsepkalo. We sat down and talked and realized that each candidate — the electorate.
We understand that this will be the right decision, that it will unite Belarusians, and we will succeed. We agreed for 15 minutes with the girls. This is a necessary step, just so the stars came together, it happened.
a Plan of action of the United opposition now is resistance for non-violent change of power?
We are adults and can all make decisions for ourselves, each will be responsible for it. But I can’t three people to take — and to change everything. It needs to be all together. Each for himself decides.
a What is the main way to help is now your husband and other opposition who are in prison?
Win. Don’t need anything else to win.
the Relations with Russia
a by the Way, don’t you think that a high-profile statement that Belarus does not need the Federal government, would alienate a significant portion of the undecided electorate, the Pro-Russian voters?
If these voters believe that our country needs someone they can depend on, then these voters are not on the way. We value the independence and sovereignty of Belarus. This is our country, why do we need someone to unite? So, not the way we are with them…
a What do you see as the ideal model of relations of Belarus and Russia?
A friendly, mutually beneficial. Personally, I am against integration with Russia, because Belarus is a sovereign��th country. We want to be independent, I want to seek friends, not enemies among other countries.
but Why don’t you use the Belarusian language in the campaign? You do advocate the extension of its use?
I don’t speak Belarusian move in everyday life. We have a large part of the population that speaks Belarusian. This does not mean that I don’t like your language. I know that the use of Belarusian should be expanded in our country. It’s part of our culture, and Belarusian culture should be developed.
But we can be the right choice. If it is more convenient to speak Russian, we should not be forced to speak Belarusian. But this does not mean that we should not promote the native language. And if it is telling the President to the Belarusian at least occasionally, then start doing it and the government, and all the rest. It is the task of the President to expand spheres of use of national language in the country.
a Russian language should maintain the status of the state?
I think this issue should be decided by the people through voting, because one person, such important issues can not be solved. All this should be discussed at a referendum.
a Belarus should strive to move away from Russian cultural influence?
We can calmly walk with their cultures, make friends. Why loggerheads cultures and languages? We can coexist peacefully. This nobody does not become worse.
a How do you feel about decommunization?
De… What?
but For peace.
I am ashamed, but I don’t know what it is.
The policy of eliminating the heritage of the Soviet period — lustration, when Communist leaders prohibited to participate in managing state Affairs; freedom from the Soviet place names, and symbols; the demolition of monuments to Communist leaders.
I won’t try to answer this question, because it should consider. Not going to build now to be a person who understands something and thought about decommunization ever. But I think, thanks. Write down this word. “Communists” as the word had long been used…
For Russia and Ukraine is a sore subject…
Know that is a sore subject for you. We have so much more for us this kind of minor problem. It is not so relevant. We have a lot of complex issues that concern the Belarusians much more than decommunization.
a Foreign policy of Belarus — the EU and the US? Should Belarus seek to integrate with the European Union?
But why to choose? I don’t understand something. Be sure to have someone choose any rapprochement with America or with Europe or with Russia?
a so you are for the multi-vector?
Yes, of course! We can be friends with all, with each to establish economic and political relations. Again, I repeat, I am not a politician. Maybe some deep processes I misunderstood, but I got a glance of an ordinary man.
a What do you expect, on the one hand, from Russia, with another — from the United States in the upcoming election?
The only thing I ask of countries like these giants, they called on the Belarusian authorities not to use weapons, not to use tanks and troops against civilians. Because blood is not needed. We are peaceful people, we want peaceful change. All the government is demonstrating — as they have some exercises are like tanks swim — what is it? To intimidate people?
We do not want, as we never called. Why do we need to demonstrate their superiority? Of course, they have troops and we have nothing — we are unarmed people. We want peaceful change, we want to live in a safe country, we want to change the government. It’s okay when the government changes when the President changes.
but Why do you refuse to state their position on Crimea and Donbass? How do you feel about the residents of Sevastopol, Simferopol, Donetsk and Lugansk, who in 2014, like you, took to the streets to defend their values?
Unfortunately, at the moment when all this happened in Ukraine, I was able to judge the situation from the point of view of an ordinary person who only saw the war from the side, the horror that happened there. We watched and cried. But the subtleties of relations within Ukraine, with Crimea — we affect it in any way could not. Only from the point of view of the common man I would then be judged. Really hard, I can’t answer from a political point of view. Just feel sorry for people.
(Sighs.) I’m scared that in the XXI century the government can not negotiate with a civilized nation that there was generally a need — the use of weapons. You guys in the civilized world live, why to such drastic measures to go! I have such feelings.
