Statkevich launches Power to People campaign

Talking to reporters at a news conference in the evening of October 11 in Minsk, former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich announced the launch of Power to People campaign, reports BelaPAN.

"The campaign was kicked off on Saturday during the National Flag March. The goal is to bring power back to people," said the opposition politician. He noted that the opposition leaders would call other political parties, civil campaigns and citizens to join the campaign in various forms including street actions.

Statkevich said the next street action to be organized by the dissent will take place on late November "to commemorate the dark date of Belarusian history - the constitutional coup d'etat and referendum in 1996."

Mikalai Statkevich reckons political and economic situation in the country is soon to deteriorate, Social tension will grow. "If the government does not make concessions to people with no real changes in electoral laws which makes participation in elections senseful, Belarusian society will have only one option to take power back. Unfortunately, it will not be about elections. If Lukashenka does not agree to reforms, Belarusian people will take power by force," said Statkevich.

Belarus opposition leaders call not to recognize presidential election results