Protesters in Belarus have shaken President Alexander Lukashenko with a movement unprecedented for the ex-Soviet state in its depth and diversity, ...
Analysts say never before have Belarusians from all walks of life - from hipster teenagers to factory workers - come together in nationwide protest on this scale. PARIS: Protesters in Belarus have shaken President Alexander Lukashenko with a movement unprecedented for the ex-Soviet state in its depth and diversity, but must gird for a long struggle if they are to realise their ambitions.
After initially appearing uncertain, Lukashenko has moved to consolidate his position and has crucially kept the security forces and political elite on his side, with only a handful of high-profile defections. With Lukashenko's election opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in exile in Lithuania, the protesters have mobilised through the popular Telegram messaging app, particularly its Nexta channel run out of Poland by 22-year-old blogger Stepan Putilo.
"I think the only one realistic goal is to perhaps force the authorities to refrain from excessive violence and torture we witnessed" in the aftermath of the election, added Glod.Key figures in the protest movement, including Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich, have formed a coordinating council in a bid for a peaceful transition.State TV showed President Alexander Lukashenko wielding a rifle as opponents mobilised at the weekend.
Pointing to the image of the gun-wielding president, she said:"Lukashenko is still in power and he has absolute power. A lot depends on his emotional reaction. It is a dangerous moment now."A giant protest in Minsk at the weekend showed that Lukashenko's opponents can still muster the numbers. Tikhanovskaya told the EU parliament Tuesday a"peaceful revolution" was in progress.
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