Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko on election 2020: I am not holding to the post, but will offer my candidacy
MINSK, 17 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on his plans to take part in Belarus’ presidential election in 2020 and 2025 as he talked to the media after casting his ballot at the elections to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 17 November, BelTA has learned.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, he is not holding to the post but believes it is right to offer his candidacy when people will be making their choice.
According to the head of state, he has repeatedly answered questions about his plans to run for the future presidential election. “If people do not support me, I will not be offended. I have already worked at the post for many years. It is up to you to decide whether I need to run for the office in the coming election or not.”
If people appreciate the stability, calm and confident development of the state, its sovereignty, i.e. the policy pursued by the current president, they should initiate this nomination themselves. “Yes, we are not rich. This is not because Lukashenko is bad or because we do not work well and do not have what they have in Russia and other countries [natural energy resources]. We are creating our own wealth with our own hands. Understanding this, you need to ask me to run for the post,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“I will suggest my candidacy in this election. If I see that you are absolutely against me, I will be upset, of course. Nevertheless, you will have to say no to my candidacy in the election. I promise that I would not hold on to the post. Believe me, this job is not easy,” he said.
“Do not think that the presidential power in our country is a reign, as some people say. Apparently, they understand this position like this,” the head of state added.
As for the deadline for holding the presidential election, it should take place no later than August 2020. There are no plans to bring it forward. “The presidential election will be held in summer. In winter? It would be not wise to hold the next campaign immediately after this one [parliamentary elections]. The opposition will start lamenting, because there is usually a period of inactivity after the elections. The opposition will not be ready for the elections then. They will say that Lukashenko is holding this elections for himself,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
In his words, this period will be over by spring. The country will be busy with the preparations to celebrate a number of significant dates such as the 75th anniversary of the Victory on 9 May and Independence Day on 3 July. Besides, it is necessary to organize and conduct a sowing campaign to ensure food security in the country. “We will do this in a proper way, and then just before the harvest time (honestly, I have not thought about this yet) we will set the date for the presidential election,” the head of state added.
Journalists also asked whether Aleksandr Lukashenko intends to take part in the presidential elections after 2020, for example, in 2025. “I may not live to see 2025, God forbid,” the president joked. “I still wish to live for a while to see how my children cope.”
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