The Belarusian leader hinted Tuesday that Moscow might want to establish the base to try to hamper Belarus’ efforts to warm up ties with the West.
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“I came here to make sure you’re not a KGB agent”, says one woman in the audience of about 50 people.
Many residents of the capital are keen for stability in Belarus. But Lukashenko was able pose next to Merkel and Putin. Even though Lukashenko, who has rules Belarus since 1994, has no serious rivals in the election, he appears determined to further tighten control over the media to head off any discontent in Belarus as economic troubles deepen.
Four candidates are running for president of Belarus: the incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko, activist of the “Tell the truth” campaign Tatyana Korotkevich, chairman of the Belarusian Patriotic Party and the supreme ataman of Republican Public Association “Belarusian Cossacks”, Nikolai Ulakhovich and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Sergei Gaydukevich.
Members of the opposition are calling on voters to ignore Sunday’s elections. “Indeed, it derives from the favorable geographical position of both countries which additionally boosts the transit of goods, mutual economic benefits, quality of services, close cooperation between the transport ministries of Lithuania and Belarus, further developed commercial relation between the railway and other companies of the transport sector”, said Rimantas Sinkevicius, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.
Since elections in 2010, Belarus’ political opposition has encouraged a resurgence of national symbols – art, language, and culture – as a means of confronting Russian expansionism in the region. While Statkevich, who is not eligible to stand because of his conviction for “organising mass riots”, has been calling for a boycott off the vote, another group, Speak the Truth, has registered Korotkevich, a political unknown, in the race.
Lukashenko’s behaviour has split the opposition. Non-government surveys have recorded an increase in Lukashenko’s ratings from 39 percent in July to 46 percent in September.
But observers suggest the official result will give him about 80%, like last time.
Dmitry is still serving a three-year sentence restricting his movements while allowing him to live at home, after he was convicted for taking part in the 2010 protests.
Lukashenko cultivates the image of “Batka” (Father); the presidential website says “this is what people with an authority and courage to protect their family and community were once called in our land”.
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However, the European Union will keep the sanctions, which have been renewed every October for the last few years, under review. Pikulik has himself suffered at the hands of Lukashenko’s regime, arrested for his work and at one point driven into exile. But there’s a limit to how much of a western ally Belarus can ever be, Sannikov adds.
