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EESC is happy to present the first issue of this year’ Belarusian Info Letter (BELL), which is dedicated to discussing the local elections held in Belarus in March. According to independent observers, right from the start the elections were as usual fraught with violations. However, are the elections, which are of little interest to the population, a sign that their opinions have changed?
The first article in this issue by Ryhor Astapenia reviews this year’s local elections and wonders whether the results are the sign of something new. The author argues that Lukashenka fails to restore previously held support as he is failing to deliver his electoral promises. Therefore, although his influence rests on the shoulders of a loyal bureaucracy, the most influential officials acquire more and more power on his behalf.
The second article by Yauheni Dudkin covers difficulties encountered by opposition parties during elections. The author maintains that elections were as usual uninteresting and unattractive and that the opposition parties failed to mobilise for a common action. For this reason, the search for a common candidate for the presidential elections will take time.
The BELL No 1(43) is access free and can be downloaded here.
