Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sees no need for his participation in the debates, which will be organized during the election campaign for the presidential candidates. At the same time Alexander Lukashenko did not rule out this possibility: "The situation might force me to participate in this debate," the president said in an interview with the Polish media.
«I’m used to this debate; I’ve been involved in this debate for fifteen years, constantly, both in absentia, and openly. And not only with opposition candidates. I’ve happened to be recently engaged in debates with my counterparts from huge Russia, standing for our interests,» President of Belarus said.
Alexander Lukashenko stated of his being aware of the so-called opposition candidates’ actions, of their sources of income, their sponsors and the positions they occupy, BelTA informs.
However, Alexander Lukashenko emphasizes that today, no one forbids the presidential candidates to debate anywhere, including the TV channels. «The time will be allocated, so you are welcome to go out and debate all together. But not everyone agrees. Well, two or three will participate in debates, at least people will watch,» Alexander Lukashenko said.
Regarding the live debates, the Belarusian leader noted that many countries of the world, not only Belarus, lack such a practice.
I’ve Been Preparing for This Elections for Five Years, Lukashenko
At the same time Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that presidential candidates must go to the polls with concrete deeds. As for himself, the president noted that he had no need to campaign.
«I’m working now the way I’ve been working for five years. But I’ve been preparing for these presidential elections for five years so that I could have something to say, because the authorities are always asked for. And they’ve done nothing,» the president summed up.
According to Telegraf, the National State TV and Radio channels will organize debates for presidential candidates this year for the first time in the history of Belarus. It was decided against the live debates in favor of its recorded variant.
In this regard, some opposition politicians refused to participate in the debates. In addition, representatives of the opposition believe that debates make sense only with the participation of the incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko as a candidate.
