Belarusan opposition: different approaches, one goal

While some opposition forces aim to fight for free elections, others join a coalition with similar goals!

The next scheduled unification of the opposition is set for September 22, Euroradio has learned. This historic event has been announced by Siarhei Kaliakin, the chairman of the Just World leftist political party.

Siarhei Kaliakin: “The alliance aims to change the rules of political game in Belarus via free and fair elections. Additionally, we will formulate the agenda of changes for people to live better."

Membership in the alliance is open for any political or civil society structure. Members will enjoy equal voting rights as there will be no division into the "elites" and small organizations, assures Kaliakin. The following organizations have already agreed to enter the alliance: the organizing committee of the Party of Labour, Belarusian Women's Party "Nadzeia", Belarusian Movement and For Free Elections public association. All the remaining political forces apart from Liberal Democratic Party and Belaya Rus have received an invitation as well.

However, Kaliakin admits quite frankly that even if all pro-democracy forces enter the alliance, it will not be sufficient to achieve the goal.

Siarhei Kaliakin: "Pro-democracy organizations will not have enough strength! The super task is to draw ordinary people into this process. If we manage to attract at least 10-15 per cent of the rank and file and their votes are counted in a free election and they can feel they can influence on their future and their lives, then our success is guaranteed."

But even fellow opposition activists from the pro-democracy camp are unlikely to join the alliance, leave alone the men and women out there in the street. Andrei Dzmitryeu, deputy head of «Tell the Truth!» civil campaign maintains his organization has never received an invitation to join the alliance and does not see it makes sense, because such an alliance already exists!

Andrei Dzmitryeu: "From the very beginning of «Tell the Truth!» campaign, there has been a coalition called "For Free Elections"п. On July 4 yet another agreement was signed between Social Democrats, «Tell the Truth!» and Movement for Freedom, Belarusian Popular Front and Belarusian Christian Democracy which aims to hold free and fair elections in Belarus and to fight for changes in electoral laws and election observation."

The Just World and United Civil Party were also invited to join this coalition but they did not agree, Dzmitryeu maintains. He is surprized that they are now trying to recruit all those who did not enter the previously created coalition for some reasons?!

Henadz Fiadynich, leader of independent trade union of Radio-electronics Industry Workers, admits he received an invitation to join the Kaliakin-Liabedzka alliance but says it makes no sense.

Henadz Fiadynich: "Time-wasting and working only to get a grant and monitor the election is not something that can turn this country into another direction."

Kaliakin insists that the alliance is not being founded only for the 2014 local elections and election observation. He maintains the aim is to change the rule of political game. Yet, he fails to explain why there should be two structures that will fight for all and the same, unless the aim is something what the trade unions refuse from.

Henadz Fiadynich: "If there are grants and you have to implement projects, one can distribute all funding and write some reports that everything is OK. But the cause of changes will stay where it is now. We do not want to play these games."

Fiadynich also adds that he is not supportive of "people's referendum" idea promoted by activists from «Tell the Truth!», Movement for Freedom and Belarusian Popular Front. He does not consider it viable.