Lukashenko wants serious, well-developed law on political parties

MINSK, 9 April (BelTA) – It is necessary to prepare a serious and well-developed law on political parties. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during the government conference held on 9 April to discuss the operation of political parties in the country, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I simply want to warn you, the developers and other ones: if we tolerate even the slightest mistakes in the course of formation of political parties while citing some foreign experience, we will destroy the country, we will let it fall apart.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko contemplated what may happen if multiple small parties intent on defending only their own interests appear in Belarus. “This is why everything must be foreseen. I see certain shortcomings in this bill,” he stated.

The president stressed that the formation of the political party system is a most serious issue that cannot be underestimated. “Some may think that registering a political party and letting it be is no big deal. But it is! There will be a clash of interests all the time. You remember how people roamed the streets in August and in other months, mainly in Minsk. But excuse me it was but one lot of protesters. Another force led by the government opposed them. But what if different forces go out and roam the streets every day?” wondered Aleksandr Lukashenko.

“This is why it is a most serious matter. In my opinion, we are not ready for it. I’ve already dropped a hint: if life is difficult in the country (and there will be as many difficulties and not because someone enforces sanctions but because the world has changed and has gone crazy), smart people get united around some person, around some group of people in such a situation. They get together and try to survive. And you want to talk about pluralism now. Do you remember when we laughed and joked about pluralism in Gorbachev’s time? Who did we forsake? Ourselves. My statement may not sound popular but you will see it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced.

On the other hand, the president noted, if some part of the society wants political parties, the need cannot be ignored. “Political parties operating in accordance with the law, parties with different opinions, pro-government parties, opposition parties, and the rest – it is a normal process. But we should come up with the most serious law on political parties from the start in order not to regret our decisions later on. I make this proviso so that you don’t blame me later on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “We don’t have this experience. We destroyed the country due to this, we destroyed the Soviet Union. It happened right before our very eyes. We don’t want it to happen to Belarus.”