Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on criticism from Tsikhanouski: It makes me very offended and uncomfortable

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya responded to public criticism from her husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who questions her legitimacy. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, she said that she does not support his "communication style that demeans dignity."

"Siarhei Leanidavich is an independent person; he chooses the communication style that suits him. He chooses the rhetoric he deems necessary," Tsikhanouskaya responded.

According to her, in democratic structures, any criticism is important and necessary if it is constructive, especially if there are counter-proposals nearby that can be discussed.

"But I can in no way support Siarhei's communication style that demeans dignity, unfortunately. But I cannot be held responsible for it, because you cannot command him, you cannot ask him, you cannot tell him. After all, he is an adult and independent person," the politician stated.

At the same time, Tsikhanouskaya acknowledged her husband's role in history. "He is a figure. His contribution to the history of a free, democratic Belarus cannot be erased, cannot be removed. He is a leader of the protest, and he remains such. But I would like this human, political capital that he has and had to be directed into a constructive channel," she said.

Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that she is not a supporter of public disputes, as they "only play into the hands of the regime." She mentioned that she hears Tsikhanouski's proposal for the Office of United Democratic Forces, his words that "the media are not working properly," and specific people he names.

"And the regime joyfully seizes on this: look, things are not all well with them," said Tsikhanouskaya. Searching for a word to describe the situation, she noted: "How to replace the word 'srach' [a crude term for a messy public argument]? I don't know, it's already widely used."

Tsikhanouskaya said that she knows Siarhei Tsikhanouski's goals: a free democratic Belarus, free elections, so that people can return.

"He is not working for the regime. But precisely introducing discord into democratic society does not benefit us. And it makes me very offended and uncomfortable," she said.

When asked if her husband's criticism personally offends her, Tsikhanouskaya replied that it does.

"I was very surprised by this new rhetoric from Siarhei, for whom I fought all these years: that, it turns out, I simply carried a folder for all these six years, that I committed fraud in 2020. I did not fight for him with such feelings all these six years," she said.

Tsikhanouskaya admitted that it is not easy for her to respond to this criticism: "He is still my husband, whatever relationship we may have, he is the father of my children." According to her, it is very difficult for her to separate one from the other.

Tsikhanouskaya added that she would like any disagreements, even if they exist, to be resolved in a private format, not publicly.

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