08.19.2020

What Will Happen Next in Belarus?

In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko still clings to power after claiming victory in elections that were widely condemned as fraudulent. The EU is calling for new elections – something Lukashenko says won’t happen, unless “you kill me.” But his support seems to be slipping away. The country’s ambassador to Slovakia has tendered his resignation and joins the program from Bratislava.

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CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: What’s going to happen next in Belarus? What are you expecting next?

IGOR LESHCHENYA, BELARUSIAN AMBASSADOR TO SLOVAKIA: As for reaction Mr. Lukashenko, unfortunately, I have a gloomy processes (ph). He lives in his predigma (ph), all style predigma (ph). He is (INAUDIBLE). Belarusians, the unfaithful children who may change the decision. But there is one very important, led me to say, crucial provision for better development in Belarus. Yesterday, if I do not mistake, there was proclaimed about the creation of so-called condemnation council. But now, I do not think that they are representatives of the people. Now, they may be a secretariat of the people. There is one more issue, I’m sorry, they’re connected. The matter is, is that I am the only, more or less, high-ranking official not only abroad but inside the country who made an open statement. Do you know why? Of course, the government officials, government in place, they are very cautious. And do you know when they will undertake their decision? It is important to push the government officials to join the moment. They will make a decision when it will be see, when they will proved that there is a very strict connection between peaceful manifestation, peaceful marches between the strikes committee, between civic society and between — I’m sorry, and with some definite leaders of this society. Now, I do not see this strong chain. There is evidence that mainly strikes in the factories, proved. I see it’s now long, for one or two days, proved the government to make step behind, to stop using force. It is next to impossible to wait for weeks of manifestation. Each of the demonstrators is a human being. He’s unable to walk along the streets with national flags during the weeks or months. I think this is the goal.

About This Episode EXPAND

Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez joins Christiane to discuss his party’s strategy. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gives an update the state of the pandemic in his country. Igor Leshchenya discusses unrest in Belarus. Former White House Ebola Response Coordinator explains why the U.S. needs a national strategy to fight COVID-19.

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