Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 January (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko commented on the discussions regarding the concurrence of the two election campaigns in 2020 as he met with Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko on 25 January, BelTA has learned.

“There are many different opinions regarding the concurrence of the parliamentary and presidential elections. Of course, we are not going to elaborate on it right now, but you also have a point of view. In your opinion, what can be a way out?” the head of state wondered.

“I want to say that we should be honest here. Some people from the fifth column say in mass media, especially on the Internet, that Lukashenko will have early elections to buy time or something,” the president said. “Nonsense. I have never played with such things and I will never do it.”

“When we make a decision on holding these elections separately or at the same time (I would like to know your opinion), we will inform about it in advance so that government bodies and all people willing to become members of the parliament and presidential candidates could prepare for it. We will not deceive anyone,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

BelTA reported earlier that according to the schedule of elections and referendums, the 2020 presidential elections should be held on 20 August at the latest, and the elections to the House of Representatives not later than 10 September, and the elections of members of the Council of the Republic on 11 September at the latest. In this context, Chairperson of the Belarusian Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina said that the presidential and parliamentary elections in Belarus will not be held simultaneously in 2020. “I think that one of the election campaigns should be held at the end of 2019. November 2019 is an ideal period for it,” she remarked in one of the interviews.