Belarus President Considers Power Share, on His Terms - The Wall Street Journal

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Updated Aug. 17, 2020 12:47 pm ET

MOSCOW—Belarus’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, facing growing nationwide protests, said he was ready to share power, but only on his own terms, as the main opposition leader said she was ready to lead the Eastern European country.

Demonstrators took to the streets in cities and towns around Belarus for a ninth consecutive day Monday, while some state-enterprise workers went on strike, venting their frustration over the country’s disputed Aug. 9 presidential vote.

Mr. Lukashenko—who claimed 80% of the vote in what opponents insist was a rigged election—blamed the country’s unrest on foreign provocateurs. He told workers at a state factory in Minsk that authorities were working on versions of a new constitution that would allow a redistribution of powers.

The Belarusian leader has said he would be willing to hand over power, but only after a referendum and the adoption of a new constitution and not because of street protests.

President Alexander Lukashenko, at a tractor plant in Minsk on Monday, said he was ready... — President Alexander Lukashenko, at a tractor plant in Minsk on Monday, said he was ready to share power, but only on his own terms.
Photo: nikolay petrov/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

“You will never expect me to do something under pressure,” Mr. Lukashenko said, according to state news agency, Belta.

Mr. Lukashenko has indicated that if necessary he would call on longtime ally Russia to assist with resolving the country’s crisis, in the event of any outside aggression or external military threat toward Belarus. He has accused NATO of building up its military forces, including deploying tanks and aircraft, on Belarus’s western border.

On Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that while NATO allies were closely watching developments in Belarus, the alliance “does not pose a threat to Belarus and has no military buildup in the region.” He added: “We remain vigilant, strictly defensive, and ready to deter any aggression against NATO allies. We support a sovereign and independent Belarus.”

Moscow has “reaffirmed its readiness to provide the necessary assistance” to Belarus, the Kremlin said Sunday. Russia and Belarus have cooperation agreements that include providing help under a mutual military pact.

Mr. Lukashenko’s comments followed the release of a video message from exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, in which she called for the creation of a legal mechanism to organize a fresh and fair vote.

Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called for the creation of a legal mechanism to organize... — Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called for the creation of a legal mechanism to organize a fresh and fair vote.
Photo: Associated Press

“I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader during this period,” said the 37-year-old political newcomer, who stepped forward as a candidate after her husband was detained in May.

Ms. Tikhanovskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania shortly after the election and has called for her supporters to keep up the pressure on Mr. Lukashenko through peaceful protests.

Thousands of protesters crowded downtown Minsk on Sunday, calling for Mr. Lukashenko to leave as they waved opposition flags. Across town, a much smaller rival rally gathered in his support. Crowds continued to gather on Monday.

Reports from several state enterprises, carried by local media outlets, confirmed that some workers had joined calls for a strike and left their jobs to join the protesters. Video on social media showed crowds gathered near the state-owned All-National Television channel, chanting “Join us!”

Belarusians Say Enough

But there was no indication of an all-out general strike paralyzing businesses across the country.

Thousands of people have been detained and two killed in violence since the election. Some of the demonstrators said they were beaten and tortured by security forces, according to testimonies published on social media and accounts from human-rights activists.

A demonstration near an automobile plant in Minsk on Monday.
Photo: vasily fedosenko/Reuters

The Belarus General Prosecutor’s office said Monday that all those detained had been freed, except for 122 people who were still in detention centers in various parts of the country.

On Monday, European Union Council President Charles Michel said in a tweet that he would convene a video call with EU leaders on Wednesday to discuss the Belarus elections and the ensuing crackdown.

“The people of Belarus have the right to decide on their future and freely elect their leader,” Mr. Michel said. “Violence against protesters is unacceptable and cannot be allowed.”