Belarus parliament elections

Lukashenko comments on opposition-free parliament in Belarus

BELGRADE, 3 December (BelTA) – It would be good to see opposition members in the national parliament, but they have a low level of support among the public, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he made a speech to the members of the People's Assembly of Serbia in Belgrade on 3 December, BelTA has learned.

“We have recently held parliamentary elections in Belarus. Believe me, there cannot be more democratic and free elections in Belarus. I guess we just cannot hold elections in a better way. We tried our best to find favor with our sponsors and supporters in the East and also in the European Union. The upshot was that some were amazed by the election outcome, others said that the opposition-free parliament is a bad thing, it is not democratic, there is no freedom and there is dictatorship again. It is nonsense. We have not pressurized anyone,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state noted that western observers had prepared negative reports on the election observation findings in advance to just sign them later. “I wanted to see three-five-ten opposition members in the parliament. But how could they get in the parliament if they received 3.5% of votes? Two opposition members got 4% of votes at the most. How could they get in the parliament and do it in a democratic way as some demand? It was even impossible to take them by the hand and walk them to the parliament,” the president said.

According to the head of state, the problem with the Belarusian opposition is that they become active only during election campaigns. “What kind of voters will elect such an opposition? Opposition members live on foreign grants provided by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, American foundations. They do not have a job, but they live in mansions and drive good cars. People ask where the money comes from? No answer,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

At the recent parliamentary elections people voted for those candidates who work hard and benefit the society, the head of state is convinced. “We will see what position various MPs stick to during their legislative activities, but I am absolutely convinced that these people are true patriots,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko added that western partners do not like the policy Belarus pursues, therefore the USA and the European Union had imposed sanctions against the country. However, as time went by, they realized that they made a mistake, the president noted. “They looked for a face-saving solution to walk out of this situation. Our position on the main agenda of international relations turned out to be acceptable for the world. Therefore, the situation has changed dramatically and today we are trying to mend ties with the European Union. We are against all kinds of Brexits and disintegration of the EU,’’ the president said.

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