Uladzimir Matskevich: We never learn by our own mistakes

Belarusan opposition and civil society lack positive image in the eyes of those who are either dissatisfied with the situation in the country.

This opinion was shared by Uladzimir Matskevich, the head of the Board of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus”.

“What do we observe in the March of 2013? We see authoritarian dictatorship, or “bloody regime”. Some people say agree with this definition of the power in the country; others see stability, order and even prosperity. And it will always happen; people perceive the world differently. But what happens next? Stability presupposes that it will be tomorrow, too, which means that what some believe to be a dictatorship and a “bloody regime” will be continued. But some think that dictatorships collapse. No dictatorships have lasted forever. The history indicates that stability gives place to instability. So can we wait for “political thaw” in our country? And when?”

Uladzimir Matskevich gives an honest, though not the most agreeable answer to his own question: “If we face the truth, we have to say that it will happen neither in 2014 nor in 2015. We should know and tell the truth – we have already lost 2015!”

So what we should do in order not to lose still more time?

“When we lose, we are to lose with dignity, - assumes Uladzimir Matskevich. – In this respect we can draw conclusions from every loss. And one of the biggest troubles with Belarusan opposition and Belarusan civil society is that we never learn by our own mistakes. We are inclined to believe in miracles, perfectly understanding that no miracles are coming”.

According to the politician, “if we understand by now that all the strategies and approaches that the opposition has won’t cause any positive results in 2015, then we shouldn’t keep on acting wrongly and lose another two years. The whole point is to act in the way so that not to lose this time if we understand beforehand that we have no time for preparation. What do we need for it? First of all, opposition and civil society today is hampered by the lack of positive image and reputation in the eyes of those who are dissatisfied with the existing regime, too”.

The situation isn’t changing as far back as the late 90s, but now it’s time for constructive work: “Without a possibility to win in the collision, opposition has to get involved in the constructive work. However, positive work is not only about the attempt to provide the population with what can be done only by the state authorities. For example, creation of public reception rooms is such an attempt to set about some other’s work. Opposition that lacks possibilities for state management can’t do that! And there is no need to pretend that something can be done. Even if the opposition manages to win some of the posts in the local elections, still, they can’t do anything. And to promise people something being well aware that this is unrealizable means to aggravate their own situation”.

“We need to build up our potential and earn positive reputation”, - Uladzimir Matskevich is convinced. And attempts to play by the rules of the regime in the electoral campaigns, as well as the attempts to withstand the regime by criticizing it have no sense at all.