Will opposition MPs become outcasts?
Mikola Statkevich maintains that the authorities have already designated a group of oppositionists to be allowed into the parliament.
“I think that those people could be seriously compromised by the authorities. Alternatively, they could possibly sign a deal of cooperation”.
Statkevich thinks that those candidates have already had talks with the authorities to get certain guarantees. Zmitser Bandarenka, one of the boycott ideologists, says the same.
“We remember how the Supreme Soviet was dismantled. Lukashenka said: “Those who want to be a MP should write to me”. People started writing. Lukashenka says again: “Boys, you write and I will consider whether to allow you or not. Westerners are saying that one or two should be there”.
Yuras Belenki, one of the leaders of the Conservative Christian Party – Belarusian Popular Front, is convinced that the oppositionists to become MPs are either “recruited by secret service” or have “secret agreements with the regime”.
“It is impossible to enter this structure independently. I think those who criticize these people have a point”.
Ales Mikhalevich, one of the potential opposition MPs, says he has got used to such accusations.
“Only one interview with Office of the President’s magazine Belaruskaya Dumka was sufficient for some people to say: “Mikhalevich has sold himself to the authorities”. When people see the concrete results of the work, the labels will fall off”.
MP candidate Anatol Lyaukovich says that he has numerously been called a traitor over 25 years in politics.
“These labels do not stick to me”.
Another “suspicious” candidate Uladzimir Nistsyuk, who is running in Minsk, proposes to look at those accusing first: “I have numerously received nicknames like “KGB agent” and “Lukashenka’s influence agent”. I have heard this from those who could not do anything in the big politics… Even if three people get through, it will be a big difference. We remember that small group of people in the previous parliament led by Fralou, Parfianovich and Skrabets”.
Mikola Statkevich does not rule out that opposition MPs, suspected of dealing with the authorities, have a chance for “rehabilitation”.
“Harsh opposition in the parliament is the best way. If they start acting like good fellows, they will be dug in by their colleague in the democratic camp”.
Statkevich proposes that “traitors” take use of their MP status in order to free detainees after street protests.
Ales Mikhalevich believes that even several democrats in the parliament could change the image of the whole opposition.
“If several deputies are adequate and propose normal measures or actions, this will change the general image of the opposition”.
Mikola Statkevich unexpectedly admits that if democratic MPs preserve their reputation, they will get a good trampoline for the next presidential election.
