Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 11 September (BelTA) – I would like to see the opposition in the country and I would like it to be constructive, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko told media on 11 September.

When asked what the opposition parties lack in order to look adequately in the Belarusian political field, the President said: “To put it short: they are too far from people. If the opposition continues to work in order to fill in their pockets, to earn for the living (although I understand this)… But you cannot go against your people and the country. They sometimes get too carried away to one side, and we direct them towards the center. They should not attack on me for this. They should be grateful that they are not marginalized at all. I don't want the opposition to be the fifth column inside our country. I want the opposition to exist and be constructive.”

The head of state recalled that he was once in the opposition. “They sometimes remind me about this. I do remember this well,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that it is necessary to be closer to people and know their problems. He explained: “Everybody shows care for people starting from the President and ending with the chairman of the village council. Who is against the people? Nobody! But the only difference is that some make things happen and some just like to make speeches,” the President said. “I think you probably share my point of view. They are not just far away from people. They do not want to be closer. I mean they do not want the power,” the President noted.

“Believe me, the power is a hard cross to bear. Many of the opposition members (many of them took part in the country’s first presidential race) realized that this work is difficult and decided to take the following approach: to fight against everyone and everything, be it good or bad. They decided to deny everything just in order to get funding from abroad,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko added: “I believe this is not right. This is their choice, however.”