Valery Karbalevich: No normal debates ever look like this

A political scientist Valery Karbalevich has commented upon the TV-debates of the Belarusian presidential candidates which were broadcasted live by the First Belarusian TV-Channel on December 4, in his interview to BelaPAN. The political scientst stated that the format of the debates should have been discussed by the candidates initially. "However, it was the other way round - the state authorities presented by Belteleradiocompany tried to force their own scenario upon the candidates. There was an argument with regard to the debates' format during the debates. No normal debates ever look like this", — stated Karbalevich.

He agreed that the candidates had managed to break the prepared scenario: "The hosts were supposed to make the candidates compete or even quarrel. They tried to make them discuss some unimportant details, while the candidates tried to make the discussion more global - whether it is possible to conduct fair elections in Belarus, whether Belarusian people have the right to elect etc.".

According to Karbalevich, the opposition candidate managed to turn the TV-debates into yet another challenge against the current authorities and Lukashenka. "They chose the right tactics. They managed to play by their own scenario. First this concerns Nyaklyaeu, who left the studio, Sannikau, Satkevich and Kastusyou, who refused from discussion with other candidates", — stated the political scientist.

At the same time he noted that it was impossible for the presidential candidates to attract a part of the electorate to their side because of the debates' format. "This was an impossible mission at such debates and for such a short period of time, for any presidential candidate", — said Karbalevich.