Biaspalau: Babaryka tries to work with those inside the country. Give them space, don't interfere

«I want to start with the main point: Viktar Babaryka was the candidate who awakened the most neutral public in Belarus. In fact, he was the most popular — neither Tsikhanouski, nor Tsepkala, nor others had such a percentage of support across the country as Viktar Babaryka did. It was he who Lukashenko was most afraid of,» writes Biaspalau. -

Why? Because Babaryka was playing on his field. He was, in a sense, the embodiment of Lukashenko's greatest fear — he knew how to balance between Russia and the West, to say «to yours and ours,» trying to please everyone. That is why he awakened so many hearts.

Yes, in terms of views, he is not my candidate. My candidate is Kastus Kalinouski: the one who takes the scythe in his hands and goes to do things, chopping off the heads of M. But now the time of such ardent patriots has passed. Moreover, I agree with Babaryka: today such a candidate in Belarus would be ridiculed and would gain, at best, the coveted 3%.

We have all seen the Chatham House polls. And the figure of 44% for a union with Russia looks quite realistic. Not because Belarusians suddenly «stopped being Belarusians,» but because independent media are forced to exist in emigration, while propaganda — both Putin's and Lukashenko's — works inside the country. Moreover, it works systematically and, unfortunately, has been quite successful over the past five years.

Belarus is now, by all measures, increasingly moving towards the pro-Russian side. For the last 25 years, we have been constantly broadcasting NTV, Kiselyov and all this crap, and since 2014 it has become especially toxic — it is eaten right into the brain, corroding the cortex so that the absolute majority over the last 10 years, if not «for» Russia, is definitely not «against.» And if you remember 2020, there were no slogans against Russia, and the Seviarynets rally against integration with Russia gathered 1000 people (I know, because I was there myself).

Plus all these «goodies» that Russia gives: an open border, a union state, equal rights for work, and so on. I will say it again: I am against all this. But it so happened that the majority of our fellow citizens who live in Belarus are for it.

And that is why in 2020 the most popular candidate was Viktar Dzmitryevich Babaryka. He was simple, not kolkhoz-like, like Sasha, open and ready to solve everything «according to the law.» To me, this seemed naive at the time. According to the law with Lukashenko? Are you serious? But they wanted it so much, they believed it so much — and that is how Viktar Dzmitryevich remained in 2020. He literally lives in 2020, and his son is still in captivity, we should not forget that.

Whether it is good or bad — that is how it is.

I think we are waiting for a new third force of the opposition abroad — not like everyone else, some kind of continuation of the line of Ivan Kravtsov, whom I respect. I am personally satisfied with this: pluralism of opinions, a new breath of fresh air. It's always good.

Don't spit right away. They are trying to work on those who are inside the country. If they succeed, it will be progress. Because, in fact, it was their efforts that made 2020 such a bright year. Maybe they will rekindle this fire again. Belarusians, are you incredible?

Give them space. Don't interfere. And wait!»

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