Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko wants questions Belarusians ask during signature collection analyzed
MINSK, 25 May (BelTA) – It is necessary to analyze the questions asked by citizens in the course of signature collection. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement during the government conference held on 25 May to discuss current social, economic, and political matters, BelTA has learned.
The head of state said: “Honestly speaking, although I stay on top of the situation in the country (I get reports on how this political pre-election process goes on among other things), I didn’t pay much attention to the pre-election campaign because I had other things on my mind. You all saw that there were a bunch of problems we had to deal with. And there will be many yet. It will be difficult for me to get involved in this pre-election process. Although I think that anything we do is the pre-election process.”
Addressing Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko and Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova, Aleksandr Lukashenko said he would like all the government officials to hear the previously stated message: “We are taking an exam. An exam to the nation. Not only me but all of us, the entire government system. And we should demonstrate our ability to manage the state. People should make the relevant conclusions.”
“One always has to run faster right before the finish line. This is why we have to properly organize this final stage of the five-year term. So that people would understand who they are dealing with and could compare our proposals with proposals of our alternative candidates. As far as I know, 15 groups are collecting signatures,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “As of today I am told that all in all, we’ve collected a sufficient number – about 200,000. But we shouldn’t stop.”
The head of state explained that signature collection offers an opportunity to better learn about the problems worrying the society. “This is why if we approach someone and ask them to sign the list in support of the incumbent president, we are talking to them,” he remarked.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that it is up to every citizen to decide whether they should sign the list or not. No pressure is allowed. “Never ever because it would be only harmful. But people will talk about problems and the rest. It should be analyzed. Natalya Ivanovna [Kochanova], I’ve asked you and Mikhail Sergeyevich [Orda, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus] to do it and give me the report,” the Belarusian leader stated.
“Yes, there are issues that municipal authorities can deal with – fixing a fence or a roof for those unable to do it themselves. There are issues district or oblast authorities can handle. And there are issues we should handle. As we take this political exam, we should resolve these issues,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “My key exam is the management of the country. I want people to see there is a president in the country. We should not be diverted to public rallies and various statements, some kind of hype. We don’t have time for it.”
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