Belarus ElectionsJanuary 29, 2012 3:47 pm
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Belarus ElectionsJanuary 5, 2012 7:55 pm
Hello, world! Almost feels like the first post, as I was absent from this blog for ages. Alas, I have little time for blogging these days. However, I do hope to return here once in a while to express my thoughts on important matters concerning Belarus. The last year in my home country could be summed up with one word “crisis.” It was the year of unprecedented weakness of Lukashenka. It was the year of awakening for many people who had previously kept silent . It was the year when many of us hoped the regime would fall by the end of the year.
It’s 2012, and Lukashenka is still in power. According to the study by the Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies, Lukashenka’s rating has fallen to appalling 24,9 percent. In fact, 44,6 percent would support an alternative candidate if the presidential election were held now. Just 21,7 percent would vote for the incumbent. Alas, presidential elections are nowhere near.
The next election to be held is parliamentary. The opposition is divided, as always, whether to participate or boycott the race. The most stupid thing that can, and most probably will, happen is that some opposition structures would choose one thing, while other factions would choose something else. Again there will be different approaches, conflicting interests and a very small impact as a result.
