Lithuanian MP: Russia not interested in fair election in Belarus

The discussion “Belarus before the presidential election” was organized by the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, the European Information Bureau of the Seimas and the Lithuanian Eastern Europe Studies Centre on November 3.

According to a member of the Lithuanian Parliament Egidijus Vareikis, Russia is not interested in Belarus becoming a western state and all the talks about fair elections are senseless.

Egidijus Vareikis: "I do not think that Russia would like Belarus to hold a fair election. There is no illusion of Russia being interested in Lukashenka’s failure. It needs him to win so that it could fold Belarus in its arms again. This is the best scenario for Russia”.

The Advisor to the Speaker of the Parliament of Lithuania Laurynas Kasčiūnas shared the opinion. According to him, if Russia decided to choose Lukashenka’s successor, he would not be more pro-European.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas: "If Russia decides on a candidate, will it allow a less pro-Russian one? If a new Russian protege becomes the state leader, Belarus will become even less independent. At the same time, it will remain undemocratic because Russia does not export liberal democracy. It will lead us into a dead end. If we do not overcome it, we will remain simple observers as before".

That is why Laurynas Kasčiūnas thinks that it is necessary to strengthen the EU’s instruments of influence on the situation in Belarus. He also agreed with an EESC expert Vytis Jurkonis about the fact that Russia’s information warfare is not aimed at replacing Lukashenka – it is only meant to exercise pressure on him.

Vytis Jurkonis dwelt on the difference between the current and the previous campaigns. The rhetoric of “the Square” is one of the distinctions.

Vytis Jurkonis: "Nobody mentioned “the Square” during the election campaign in 2006. But many people keep telling us about it now: presidential contenders, the youth and representatives of NGOs".

According to the head of the analytical centre “Strategy”, economist Leanid Zaika, invited to the discussion, the election is a small point as the economic class is mostly interested in the division of economic property.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs Emanuelis Zingeris assured that Lithuania would not betray Belarus for its economic interest.

Emanuelis Zingeris: "Belarus can observe an influx of Lithuanian businessmen wishing to take part in the privatization. But we would like to assure that we will not betray the Belarusian people for economic benefits".

After all, the countries are united by a centenary history, added the member of the Seimas.

In the photo: Egidijus Vareikis. Photo by Irmantas Gelūnas/15min.lt