Re-election for Belarus opposition leaders?

The chairman of Belarusian Popular Front party Aliaksei Yanukievich is set to follow Alexander Lukashenka's footprints by having expressed his intent to remain in the position of the party chairman for the third term - contrary to the two-term limitation.

However, the politician categorically objects to being compared with the head of Belarus.

Aliaksei Yanukevich: “Popular Front enjoys a full-fledged electoral process, which - from the very beginning to the moment of vote count, including the election of the chairman - is held in an absolutely democratic way. The fact that the party leadership has changed several times over the past years is an apt ecample."

As for procedural issues, the party's auditing commission has "covered up" the chairman by stating that the decision to introduce a two-tem limitation for the chairman was approved during Yanukevich's second term. Hence, his first term.... should not be counted!

Euroradio reminds how long other leaders have chaired their political parties and organizations.

The leader of leftist forces Siarhei Kaliakin has been the chairman of his party the same number of years as Aliaksandr Lukashenka. He has been in charge of the Just World paty (known previously as the Belarusian Party of Communists) since 1994. He does not see any moral or ethical problems with that.

Siarhei Kaliakin: "The election of this or that person as a party leader, especially the opposition party leader, is the buisiness of members of the party! If they reckon he fulfills his duties well, he can perform this fucntion for a long time."

On the contrary, he says, it woulld be in violation of all moral and ethical standards, if the leader decides to resign, despite the desire of people whu trusted him and followed him. Especially, given that no one aspires to become the leader of an opposition party!

Siarhei Kaliakin: "What are the benefits?! All you get is excessive attention from special services to you and your relatives. You get responsibility for the people you lead. Therefore, thinking persons feel reserved, because they understand that the leadership in the party is not only the portfolio but a burden of responsibilities that you have to perform daily."

The leader of Liberal Democratic Party Siarhei Haidukevich is in the second place among the veterans of the political scene. He has been in charge of the party since 1995. The politician assures that there are numerous contenders for his position. But they have to keep their ambnitions abay, because they understand that the party will not be a proper political force without Haidukevich…

Siarhei Haidukevich: "I have never tried to keep to the chair! But the reality is that people think strategically; people assess ahead of the presidential or parliamentary elections whether they should replace the leader or not."

Haidukevich says he cannot afford to undermine people's trust. He stresses it is foolish to introduce term limitations for a party leader.

Anatol Liabedzka has been in charge of United Civil Party since 2000. He blames the incumbant for being 'stranded' in the opposition!

Anatol Liabedzka: "If Belarus had free and fair elections in 2010 with all political forces participating and, for instance, UCP, BPF, Just World, gained 0.0 percent of vote not a sinlge seat in the parliament, that would mean all opposition leaders should have resigned."

Besides, fellow party members do not allow Liabedzka to resign, because they do have motivation to oust himе, Liabedza assures Euroradio reporter. He adds it is foolish to restrict a party leader with term limitations. This is not comparable to the head of state.

Movement for Freedom leader Aliaksandr Milinkevich's supporters have prevented him from resigning since 2005, too. Yet, he instists he is totallt for rotation, given there are decent potential substitute in the movement. Nevertheless, Milinkevich joins the opinion of his fellow opposition leaders: if party members have confidence in the leader, the chairmanship term should not be limited.

Photo by Zmicier Lukashuk