Belarus parliament elections

MINSK, 9 September (BelTA) – Chairwoman of Belarus’ Central Election Commission (CEC) Lidia Yermoshina said in an interview to the ONT TV channel that it is better not to mix business with politics. The TV program Let’s Sort it Out was aired on 8 September, BelTA has learned.

The question addressed to the CEC head was about rich candidates to the House of Representatives during this year’s campaign and the readiness of Belarusian citizens to cast votes in their support. Lidia Yermoshina stated: “In general, rich people enjoy respect in the society. I think self-forgetfulness is not the best way to be promoted today. It is more likely that votes will be given in support of a rich person. Although people often say that if he is rich, he has already got everything he needs.”

On the other side, the CEC Chairwoman wondered about the reason for rich people to aim at the parliament. By doing so, these people agree to the income which is many times lower than they have while running their business. In her words, reasons can be different. Lidia Yermoshina assumed that these persons can continue doing business after being elected an MP. “Is it fair? Of course, not. Then, parliament may be used by these people to escape responsibility, or to use new connections and power for their own benefit,” the head of the Central Election Commission said.

Lidia Yermoshina stressed that the wish to make part of the parliament, while abandoning business, can also be an absolutely selfless act to do. “Such persons can say that they have already earned enough, they have a capital and they want to serve the society. However, I believe that it is better not to mix up business with politics and power,” she said.

There were cited examples of other countries where there is a strong belief that oligarchs should not make part of the parliament, that business, power and politics should exist separately. Once they are united, this undoubtly leads to corruption.

The elections to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus are due on 11 September. 110 MPs will be elected to form a new parliament in the country.