Elections: Navasyad vs Dabravolski

For instance, Alyaksandr Makayeu, of the European Coalition, will face off against Valyantsina Svyatskaya, a member of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) and the United Pro-democratic Forces (UPF), in District N100 in Minsk.

Makayeu says that several opposition candidates should register in every district to effectively promote their ideas to voters. He hopes to represent interests of small businesses in the parliament.

Alyaksandr Dabravolski of the UPF and Uladzimir Navasyad, of the European Coalition, intend to seek ballot access in District N94 in Minsk.

Navyasyad says he is comfortable with two opposition figures running in one district. He adds that Dabravolski has not yet been nominated. "The United Civic Party (UCP) has not yet fielded its candidates. Dabravolski has not yet put forward his candidacy, he just intends to do so."

Dabravolski says that it would be difficult to gain enough votes with two opposition candidates competing in the same constituency. "I think it is illogical. One should think about voters' reaction. It will be difficult to explain them why there are two opposition candidates on the ballot and win their support. But it seems that people who refused to work together do not care about it."

Also running in the district will be Syarhey Zabalotsets, a member of the outgoing House of Representatives. His secretary said that Zabalotsets does not mind taking on two opposition rivals.