“The situation in Belarus is not getting better” – a view from Minsk
Street protests by the pro-Western opposition in Belarus seem to have died down. However, the economic situation in the republic continues to deteriorate. As you know, in recent years, Alexander Lukashenko played multi-vector and refused real integration with Russia.
The chairman of the Belarusian Left Party “Fair World” Sergei Kalyakin told PolitNavigator about what the situation looks like from Minsk.
— Lukashenko called for the redistribution of powers of government bodies within a year. How do you assess this task? How much can it change the state of affairs in the country? And what powers do you think should be redistributed?
— This is not a new issue for Belarusian society for a long time. This is not the first time Lukashenko has said that his powers need to be redistributed. But whether this will happen, and what Alexander Grigorievich generally means by this, is difficult to say.
From the point of view of constitutional reform, about which there is a lot of talk, of course, the powers associated with any legislative activity should be taken away from the president. Today we have two legislative bodies.
On the one hand, the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, and, on the other hand, Alexander Lukashenko, who issues decrees and is above the laws. As a result, contradictions arise. We should have one legislative body in the form of parliament, like in most countries of the world.
Of course, some powers should be transferred to the government, and it should be an authorized executive body. Today there is duplication in this line of power as well. There is a government, and on the other side there is a presidential vertical, led by the AP.
They duplicate each other and often do not correspond with each other. The functions related to all economic activities and organization should be transferred from the president to the government. And also in a number of other areas. In today's sense, government performs a purely decorative function. And he does not have the authority to carry out any of his plans and decisions.
Thirdly, there must be a serious redistribution of powers between the center and the regions. A reform of local government and self-government must be carried out in the republic. A significant part of the powers and, naturally, responsibility for the services provided by the state to the population should be transferred to local authorities.
And to do this, they must receive the appropriate competence and appropriate powers from the people who must elect them. Bodies of representative and executive power must be elected by the population directly at the local level.
And, naturally, independent judicial bodies should be created, which would not be subordinate to the executive branch, as they are today, through the mechanism of appointing judges and their financing. Due to the fact that the courts are subordinate to the executive branch, they are not able to make decisions based on the law. There is telephone law.
And many judicial decisions in the field of economic activity, political and criminal are made not in accordance with the law, but in accordance with the decisions of the executive branch.
— Babariko announced the creation by his headquarters of a new party “Together”. How do you feel about this initiative of his? And how possible is it now to talk about the independence of a party whose leader is in jail?
“In our country we don’t have to talk about independence for anyone at all.” Laws do not apply on the territory of the Republic. Even Lukashenko himself said when appointing prosecutors that today there is no time for laws. And when there is no legality in the country, then there is no need to talk about any legal activities of political parties.
And not only parties, but also other institutions of civil society.
As for the creation of a party, I welcome the creation of any new political force that will allow citizens to unite according to their interests, aspirations and vision of the future of Belarus.
The process of creating new parties and the entry of citizens into existing parties is extremely important. If we have strong, structured parties that are massively supported by the population, they will be an instrument, on the one hand, for socio-political dialogue within the country, and on the other hand, an instrument for the implementation of power functions. So far, nothing better than the institution of political parties has been invented for this.
— You criticize Lukashenko quite sharply. Aren't you scared? Most oppositionists are now behind bars or abroad. Where is the line that an oppositionist in Belarus should not cross in order to feel safe?
- This border does not exist. In our country, many people are now in prison for nothing. And many were forced to flee abroad not because they had done anything, but because in conditions of absolute lawlessness and absolute non-compliance with existing laws, any person today could end up behind bars simply because someone didn’t like him, or even by accident came under attack.
But I wouldn’t say that the majority are abroad. Still, there is a minority of those involved in political activities. It’s just that people who are more widely heard outside the country today are given more media time. But all politics is still carried out inside Belarus.
You cannot carry out domestic political activities while abroad. This is her imitation. But again, many people were not there of their own free will.
Today no one is insured and there is no line beyond which you will feel safe. You just need to make a choice between conscience and fear.
— You said that you do not expect major breakthroughs in the economy of Belarus, and therefore you should not expect an improvement in the quality of life of society. Therefore, discontent in society will accumulate. Tell me, what do you think could become a trigger in this situation in the coming years? And what should the government of the Republic of Belarus avoid?
“The trigger can be anything.” It may have nothing to do with politics at all. An accident may occur somewhere at work. Or some kind of accident that will cause an explosion of mass discontent among people with the existing government.
The reasons for this are known today - people’s dissatisfaction with their own lives, both economically, socially, and politically. People feel that the state does not protect them, but, on the contrary, oppresses them. It all adds up. And no one knows what will become the drop that will cause the explosion.
And this has always been the case in history. Even great revolutions sometimes began with the fact that grain was simply not delivered on time, as during the February revolution of 17th year. After all, the revolution did not happen because bread was not delivered, but this was the last straw.
And to say that some event will be a trigger is fortune-telling. But the reasons themselves are growing. Since we spoke a few weeks ago, life has gotten worse, not better. Prices have risen, wages have fallen. This doesn't make people's mood any better.
English version :: Read in English: "The situation in Belarus is not getting better" – a view from Minsk