Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Election campaigns should be impeccable

MINSK, 11 June (BelTA) – The election campaigns in Belarus should be up to the mark, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing local authorities on 11 June, BelTA has learned.

“I have told you many times, guys, there is no communist party anymore. You are responsible for everything. Please, make sure that these elections go without a hitch, so that no one will find fault with it. We are not that outstanding. Both you and I realize that people do not worship today’s government. However, people are fully aware that the government in Belarus is one of the kind not only in the post-Soviet space, as this government is people-focused. We have done everything we could to earn people’s support,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. 

At the same time, the president emphasized that people’s prosperity depends not only on authorities, but also on their own willingness to work hard for a better life. “Let us divide the responsibility 50/50. We will support you and your families, but you also need to be more proactive. We need to be open and honest about it,” the president said. Speaking about the forthcoming election campaigns, he said that they should be conducted up to the mark. “Do not be rude to people, people complain of it a lot. Do not push them away,” the head of state added.

As an example to follow, Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the work of Head of the Belarus President Administration Natalya Kochanova. She often meets with locals all over Belarus to discuss their concerns. “She meets with the Roma, workers, peasants, hunters and talks to them. She comes back a different person. I did the same when I started out. I often say: if you do not know what to do, go and meet with people. Even if you don’t get an answer to your question, it will help you in the future. You will understand what people are living and breathing. The issues you are struggling with sitting in your office no longer seem that difficult. Therefore, we need to approach people and appreciate them. Keeping in touch with people is our signature style. We don’t have such a gap, oligarchs, these deep pockets who loom over the authorities and the public. This is our asset,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Stay in touch with the public and avoid the mistakes that are sometimes or often brought to your notice, the mistakes that were made by other officials and civil servants. You know what things I will never forgive,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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