The First National TV Channel of Belarus welcomed TV debates of the presidential candidates on December 4. Despite the attempts of the hosts Prokorov Fedor and Andrei Krivosheev to embroil the candidates, the latter were united in criticizing the authorities and the electoral laws, as well as offering alternative ways of the country's development.
Nine opposition candidates except the incumbent, Alexander Lukashenko, attended the televised debate. Initially, the hosts offered candidates to apply with a short speech to the viewers.
The draw chose the leader of the campaign «European Belarus» Andrei Sannikov to be the first to speak, who expressed the need to «change the bald tyres.» he was followed by the economist, deputy head of the United Civil Party, Yaroslav Romanchuk. According to him, the Belarusian vertical has become weak.
The need for modernization of political and economic systems was expressed by the head of the Union «For modernization» Ales Michalevic, noting that an established system used to be effective in 1990, but has now become a burden for the development of Belarus.
«Trivium» director Dmitri Uss called for reforming the electoral system again. One of the leaders of the unregistered party the «Belarusian Christian Democracy» Vital Rymasheuski noted the need for the whole system of Belarus to be based on Christian values.
Niakliaeu Left the Studio
The chairman of the Association of Small and Medium Business Viktor Tereshchenko was the next to speak. He turned his attention to the economic state of Belarus, inflation and high prices. Then BPF deputy Rygor Kastusiou appealed the audience, noting that the studio lacks the president.
«The format of political debate suggests participating of both those, who in power, and those who claim this power. The latter are here. And where is the one in power, who should answer our questions? Take the quarreled with Russia, or the fact that people do not receive the money they earn. Who is to respond to these questions?», leader of the civil campaign «Tell the truth!», the poet Vladimir Niakliaeu declared and left the studio, noting that there’s no sense in such debates.
Leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (People’s Hramada) Mikola Statkevich told about the practice of TV debates in other countries and later addressed Alexander Lukashenko, absent at the event.
Candidates Mentioned the Name of Lukashenko 55 Times
After the speech, the hosts of the show offered Rygor Kastusiou to debate with the candidates, whom he had called pro-Russian: Andrei Sannikov, Vladimir Niakliaeu, Yaroslav Romanchuk and Alexander Lukashenko. However, the PBNF candidate said that he had already discussed the issues of foreign policy with everyone, except Alexander Lukashenko, and refused to debate on this subjest on air.
In general, the candidates were in favor of pragmatic and friendly relations with all neighboring countries, still giving preference to the European orientation of Belarus and noting the necessity to maintain good relations with Russia. Candidates also promised an easy pass to Europe for all Belarusians in case of change of power in the country.
After discussion of the foreign policy issues, the candidates moved to the economy. They collectively enumerated the shortcomings of the current authorities, including 4 times of falling of the ruble exchange rate for 16 years, as Viktor Tereshchenko noted.
Then Nikolai Statkevich took the floor, who refused to talk about the economy, thus broking the scenario of the TV hosts. He made another «you» address to the incumbent president, and urged citizens to seek fair elections and free TV access for the candidates. He was backed by Dmitry Uss, who recalled the need to change the existing electoral legislation.
In turn, Andrei Sannikov asked TV debates participants, if they had seen any voters, campaigning for the incumbent, during their visits to regions. Vital Rymasheuski said that the rating of Alexander Lukashenko couldn’t be above 30%.
Only then the TV hosts could take control over the situation in the studio. As noted by Yuri Prokopov, the candidates mentioned the name of Lukashenko 55 times during the debate. «I did not mention that name,» Nikolai Statkevich retorted immediately.
At the end the candidates were offered to make their final speeches. Part of the contenders for president reiterated the main points of their programs, some called to come to the Squire on December 19, as well as to provide some additional airtime for the alternative candidates.
At the end, the hosts tried to say some words, but they were not given such an opportunity. Nikolai Statkevich and Dmitri Uss simply left the studio.
