Political scientist explains why protest in Belarus is fading out

26.10.2020, Moscow.

Protest sentiments in Belarus are fading out, and President Aleksandr Lukashenko is on firm ground again, lawyer and political scientist, candidate of legal sciences, professor of the Law Department of the Financial University at the Government of the Russian Federation Igor Semenovsky said on October 24 in an interview to the Rossa Primavera News Agency.

“In the context of the confrontation between Lukashenko and the protesting street, the protest continues to fade out, and the president in on firm ground again. If we look at the process of forming the new cabinet, it is also part of the gradual stabilization of the public situation, and Lukashenko has seized the initiative, including from the people in the street,” the political scientist noted.

Also, Lukashenko has started taking his supporters to the street, and he again recognized Russia and Putin as his “elder brother.” “Joint military exercise, which traditionally took place in this period in Belarus, demonstrated the unity of forces and Russia’s readiness to cover its neighbor’s back,” Semenovsky said.

He pointed out that Aleksandr Lukashenko has little by little taken the lead from the opposition. “This is Lukashenko’s political victory, which will become legitimate de facto within this year despite any confrontation,” Semenovsky concluded.

On August 9, presidential elections took place in Belarus, where Aleksandr Lukashenko won with 80% of votes.

On September 26, Aleksandr Lukashenko was officially inaugurated. Media reported this event only a few hours later.

On October 13, the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya delivered an ultimatum to Lukashenko. She urged the authorities of the republic to fulfill opposition’s demands by October 25. She demanded that Lukashenko must leave his office, that violence in the streets must be stopped, and that all political prisoners must be released. Another opposition march “The People’s Ultimatum” was scheduled for October 25. However, no disturbance took place at the Sunday opposition march.

Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency

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