Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: International community shows interest in Belarus’ parliamentary elections

Piotr Petrovsky. Photo from np-aaii.ru

MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) – The international community is exhibiting interest in Belarus’ parliamentary elections, Belarusian political analyst, co-chair of the Eurasia.Expert editorial board Piotr Petrovsky said at a video interview on the website of the National Press Center, BelTA has learned.

“The interest in the elections is not incipient; it is already observed. I have been to Russia and Lithuania and talked to our German partners. Those who are interested in this aspect of Belarus have already conducted a monitoring of political situation, including in the run-up to the elections. Many experts and analysts affiliated or sympathizing with Western organizations one way or another started voicing certain conditions to our country. They say that the elections will allegedly be a test for the Belarusian political system, and if the system gives the go-ahead to 5-10 candidates from the far right coalition, that will allegedly mean that Belarus will pass the test of the European Union and the West in general. This is unfortunately the general attitude of our western partners,” he said.

In his words, Brussels and Washington need to drop their bias against the Belarusian electoral campaign. “If some candidates fall through, it will be wrong to use administrative resources to push them into the parliament. Belarus needs to ensure transparency of the electoral process and stay away from these interstate and international disputes,” the expert said.

Piotr Petrovsky pointed to the apathy of today’s political parties in the parliament. “If the number of MPs representing political parties grows and if they manage to form a coalition, I think the parliament will play a bigger role. This composition of the parliament was more visible and open to discussion than the previous one. Overall, the parliamentary culture is reaching a new level. It is not just a think tank where analysts develop and pass laws, but a place for public debate involving various stakeholders including those who failed to be elected to the parliament. I believe that the amendments to the law on public associations and political parties will enhance the role of the parliament,” the expert noted.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks