Experts: EU wants decent elections
The European Radio for Belarus has asked political commentators Andrei Fiodarau and Sviatlana Navumava about what stands behind the Belarus-EU high level negotiations.
Fiodarau: This is not the first conversation of this kind. The talks also took place before the previous elections. The most important thing: the European Union is very interested in seeing the elections held in a more or less decent way in order to improve relations. In my view, Brussels is very worried by Russia’s current foreign policy when it is putting pressure on its neighbors, including Belarus.
ERB: Gazeta Wyborcza writes that Brussels wants at least 20 opposition members to enter the parliament. Do you think these negotiations are taking place?
Fiodarau: I am not sure that the European Union negotiates certain numbers. I think they are more interested in how this election is going to take place. Relative steps forward could be seen, although many hurdles are still there. I think that the European Union is positive and it will keep the eyes closed if there are no serious violations.
ERB: Experts suggest that Belarus has the last geopolitical chance of joining Europe. Will this window be shut down afterwards?
Fiodarau: I would not say so categorically. But circumstances will get worse, no doubt. The dialogue with the West will continue but at a much lower level. The internal political situation will get worse, for sure. Belarus will not receive support from the West and will have to seek a coalition in the East, Russia in the first place. Russia will use this opportunity for 100 percent.
Political analyst Sviatlana Navumava who lectures at the European Humanities University says that if the elections are held in the current way, Europe will have something to recognize the vote.
Navumava: The word “decent elections” is the right word. I don’t want to say this election is democratic. But it demonstrates more democracy of the authorities. Imitation is better since less people are imprisoned or beaten.
