What do famous opposition politicians do after elections?
The European Radio for Belarus talks to Uladzimir Hancharyk, Siamyon Domash, Mikhail Chygir and other previously famous politicians to find out what they do for living now. The European Radio for Belarus reported earlier that the rumors about former presidential contender Alexander Kozulin seeking to flee abroad were just a hoax. Moreover, he is prepared to cooperate with the political forces and their initiatives that can yield a positive result.
Alexander Kozulin: “I am looking for a kind of job where I can apply my profession. But it does not mean that I am going to leave the country. As for cooperation (in politics), I am ready to support everything that yields a positive result".
Meanwhile, Alexander Kozulin has devoted himself to his family.
Another "potential" presidential candidate and former PM Mikhail Chygir has totally walked away from politics and decided to become a "professional" retiree.
Mikhail Chygir: “I have turned 60; I get my pension which does not match a prime minister's returement package, though. I live in the country and I have a lot of things to do here. Politics? When I was in politics, my family suffered when I spent a term in jail. And my son was jailed for nothing as well…. What do I need this politics for today? To repeat the same again?”
Mikhail Marynich, former minister for foreign economic relations, has another attitude as regards his presidential ambitions. Although he was jailed and damaged his health while in prison, he has not given up his work.
Mikhail Marynich: “I have to earn my bread by reading lectures or writing articles. I have a wide audience: the US, Germany and our neighbors. But given I lost my health in prison and have to get treatment often, I lecture when it is possible. It is not systemic”.
Former trade union leader Uladzimir Hancharyk, also an ex-presidential candidate, is retired, but still continues to be active. He says his pension allowance is little, so he has to work to live decently. For the past several years, he worked with trade union organizations in Moscow, but has now returned back to the home country. He reads lectures and offers consultations.
Uladzimir Hancharyk: “I worked for some time with organizations in Moscow. I have written two books over this time. One is about trade unions, the other is about the 2001 presidential elections and the recent polls. Otherwise, I read lectures and carry out some political activities: contacts, consultations, etc”.
Former head of the Hrodna regional administration Siamyon Domash also took part in the 2001 presidential elections. Back then, he withdrew from the race for the sake of Uladzimir Hancharyk. While the latter could not find a job, Siamyon Domash now takes the post of General Director, Hrodna Leather Production Company. However, the former opposition candidate declined to share about his current working experience.
Siamyon Domash: “I can't talk about this topic”.
Former parliament speaker and Alexander Lukashenka's contender during the first presidential elections Stanislau Shushkevich confessed to the European Radio for Belarus that he simply has to work for living.
Stanislau Shushkevich: “Lukashenka personally is stealing my money, because my pension is slightly more than Euro 1 (Br3200) per month, according to his personal decree”.
To survive, professor Shushkevich reads lectures around the world ranging from Poland and Ukraine to the United States and Japan.
Other formerly high-profile opposition politicians suffer similar difficulties. After his release from prison, former MP Andrei Klimov spends a lot of time in hospitals to repair his health. He devotes most of his time to his family and writes a biographic book. He has neither opportunity nor health to work. His colleague Uladzimir Parfyanovich admits that he lives on a pension of Br340,000 ($170). He wanted to start up a business in a neighboring country, but the world crisis has disrupted his plans. Being an entrepreneur in Belarus means suicide, he says. Former lawmaker and political prisoner Sergei Skrabets can't get employed, either. The list could be easily continued…
Alexander Kozulin: “I am looking for a kind of job where I can apply my profession. But it does not mean that I am going to leave the country. As for cooperation (in politics), I am ready to support everything that yields a positive result".
Meanwhile, Alexander Kozulin has devoted himself to his family.
Another "potential" presidential candidate and former PM Mikhail Chygir has totally walked away from politics and decided to become a "professional" retiree.
Mikhail Chygir: “I have turned 60; I get my pension which does not match a prime minister's returement package, though. I live in the country and I have a lot of things to do here. Politics? When I was in politics, my family suffered when I spent a term in jail. And my son was jailed for nothing as well…. What do I need this politics for today? To repeat the same again?”
Mikhail Marynich, former minister for foreign economic relations, has another attitude as regards his presidential ambitions. Although he was jailed and damaged his health while in prison, he has not given up his work.
Mikhail Marynich: “I have to earn my bread by reading lectures or writing articles. I have a wide audience: the US, Germany and our neighbors. But given I lost my health in prison and have to get treatment often, I lecture when it is possible. It is not systemic”.
Former trade union leader Uladzimir Hancharyk, also an ex-presidential candidate, is retired, but still continues to be active. He says his pension allowance is little, so he has to work to live decently. For the past several years, he worked with trade union organizations in Moscow, but has now returned back to the home country. He reads lectures and offers consultations.
Uladzimir Hancharyk: “I worked for some time with organizations in Moscow. I have written two books over this time. One is about trade unions, the other is about the 2001 presidential elections and the recent polls. Otherwise, I read lectures and carry out some political activities: contacts, consultations, etc”.
Former head of the Hrodna regional administration Siamyon Domash also took part in the 2001 presidential elections. Back then, he withdrew from the race for the sake of Uladzimir Hancharyk. While the latter could not find a job, Siamyon Domash now takes the post of General Director, Hrodna Leather Production Company. However, the former opposition candidate declined to share about his current working experience.
Siamyon Domash: “I can't talk about this topic”.
Former parliament speaker and Alexander Lukashenka's contender during the first presidential elections Stanislau Shushkevich confessed to the European Radio for Belarus that he simply has to work for living.
Stanislau Shushkevich: “Lukashenka personally is stealing my money, because my pension is slightly more than Euro 1 (Br3200) per month, according to his personal decree”.
To survive, professor Shushkevich reads lectures around the world ranging from Poland and Ukraine to the United States and Japan.
Other formerly high-profile opposition politicians suffer similar difficulties. After his release from prison, former MP Andrei Klimov spends a lot of time in hospitals to repair his health. He devotes most of his time to his family and writes a biographic book. He has neither opportunity nor health to work. His colleague Uladzimir Parfyanovich admits that he lives on a pension of Br340,000 ($170). He wanted to start up a business in a neighboring country, but the world crisis has disrupted his plans. Being an entrepreneur in Belarus means suicide, he says. Former lawmaker and political prisoner Sergei Skrabets can't get employed, either. The list could be easily continued…
