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Lukashenko vows authorities will ‘deal with’ protest pressure at factory entrances
The Belarusian leader thanked workers who did not join the strikes
READ ALSO Detentions reported during unauthorized rally near Minsk tractor plant
"Threats against and attacks on factory workers - that worries us too," he emphasized at a meeting of the Belarusian Security Council on Wednesday. "Before and after the working day, they have to pass through a corridor lined by aggressive crowds at entrances, [who are] just like the Gestapo. I just want to tell these workers that [I] express my gratitude to them and ask them not to bury their heads in the sand. You, workers, are the masters at this plant, and we will deal with those protesters who wait for you at the entrance," BelTA news agency quotes the president as saying.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s final data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.10% of the vote, whereas Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his key rival, garnered 10.12% of the ballot. Subsequently, she refused to recognize the outcome of the polls.
After the results of exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests flared up in downtown Minsk and other cities, which spiraled into clashes with police. The protests continued for several days and, according to the Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people ended up in custody.
Against this backdrop, workers at large enterprises have expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation and have held rallies demanding new elections and a probe into police actions. The opposition has been pushing factory workers to strike.
Lukashenko: Re-election out of question, power to be delegated only through constitutionLukashenko vows authorities will ‘deal with’ protest pressure at factory entrances
The Belarusian leader thanked workers who did not join the strikes
© Andrei Stasevich/Pool Photo via AP
MINSK, August 19. /TAS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has thanked workers who did not join the strikes and promised to "deal with" those protesters who wait for and converge on laborers at factory entrances.
READ ALSO Detentions reported during unauthorized rally near Minsk tractor plant
"Threats against and attacks on factory workers - that worries us too," he emphasized at a meeting of the Belarusian Security Council on Wednesday. "Before and after the working day, they have to pass through a corridor lined by aggressive crowds at entrances, [who are] just like the Gestapo. I just want to tell these workers that [I] express my gratitude to them and ask them not to bury their heads in the sand. You, workers, are the masters at this plant, and we will deal with those protesters who wait for you at the entrance," BelTA news agency quotes the president as saying.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s final data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.10% of the vote, whereas Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his key rival, garnered 10.12% of the ballot. Subsequently, she refused to recognize the outcome of the polls.
After the results of exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests flared up in downtown Minsk and other cities, which spiraled into clashes with police. The protests continued for several days and, according to the Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people ended up in custody.
Against this backdrop, workers at large enterprises have expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation and have held rallies demanding new elections and a probe into police actions. The opposition has been pushing factory workers to strike.
When commenting on calls for strikes, the Belarusian president underscored that it was him who made sure that workers were not laid off at factories even when their number was excessive
17 AUG, 2020
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko© Valery Sharifulin/TASS
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Tikhanovskaya vows ready to become national leader in Belarus
MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant to meet with workers amid reports of strikes, according to a TASS correspondent.
During his visit, Lukashenko received a report that plants in the country were mostly operating normally, according to the BelTA news agency.
he Belarusian president stated that no presidential re-election will take place in the country.
"You will not live to see the day I do anything under pressure. There will be no re-election. Because, in that case, there will be no MZKT [Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant], no MAZ [Minsk Automobile Plant] no BelAZ [the quarry truck plant]. Everything will be destroyed in half a year then," Lukashenko said, according to the BelTA news agency.
"You speak about unfair elections and want fair ones?" the president asked. "I have an answer for you. We had the elections. Unless you kill me, there will be no other elections."
Meanwhile the incumbent president vowed readiness to redistribute power through a constitutional process. "Of course, I will go away someday. In a year or two. But we can’t give up the constitution to some nobody. Because it will be a disaster. This is what I am afraid of the most," Lukashenko pointed out, as cited by the BelTA news agency.
Reiterating readiness to "share" powers, the incumbent head of state was clear though that this would never happen under pressure. "We need a new constitution. I’ve been proposed two variants, but rejected both of them, because they barely differ from the current one. The work on the third variant is underway. Come, let’s sit and work on the constitution and put it to a referendum. And I will relegate my powers to you by the constitution. But not under pressure and not through the streets," he said.
When commenting on calls for strikes, the Belarusian president said that "150 and even 200 people don’t set the tone at a plant." "The thing to understand is that the ‘bad’ president has maintained an excessive number of workers to make sure that no one is thrown on the street," Lukashenko noted. "Who wants to work, let them work. And as for those who don’t want to work, we can’t make them," the agency quoted him as saying.
Alexander Lukashenko stood firm saying that protests won’t bring him to his knees, according to an audio recording published by the Tut.by media outlet.
"I can see the way you intend to speak with the president," Lukashenko said. "No offense, but you won’t bring me to my knees. Don’t do anything that will, first and foremost, harm you and your families. You will see it in a week if you create chaos at the facility. Think about what I am saying today and what I told you yesterday. Listen, I have been through it all. I was a director [of a plant] and a common man, I know how it was done in the mid-1990s. Nothing like that will happen in our country," Lukashenko emphasized.
According to a TASS correspondent, the president’s helicopter later left the plant.
Meanwhile, several dozens people have gathered at the plant's gate. Some are holding posters demanding Lukashenko’s resignation. The gathering particularly involves Minsk Cable Networks employees. They expect workers from the Minsk Automobile Plant and the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant to join them. A man in civilian clothes addressed the gathering on behalf of law enforcement agencies and asked them to leave as they are taking part in an unauthorized activity. However, the people said they would not leave because they had the right to express their opinion.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, several thousand people were detained while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries. Opposition leaders called for strikes to increase pressure on the authorities.
MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant to meet with workers amid reports of strikes, according to a TASS correspondent.
During his visit, Lukashenko received a report that plants in the country were mostly operating normally, according to the BelTA news agency.
he Belarusian president stated that no presidential re-election will take place in the country.
"You will not live to see the day I do anything under pressure. There will be no re-election. Because, in that case, there will be no MZKT [Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant], no MAZ [Minsk Automobile Plant] no BelAZ [the quarry truck plant]. Everything will be destroyed in half a year then," Lukashenko said, according to the BelTA news agency.
"You speak about unfair elections and want fair ones?" the president asked. "I have an answer for you. We had the elections. Unless you kill me, there will be no other elections."
Meanwhile the incumbent president vowed readiness to redistribute power through a constitutional process. "Of course, I will go away someday. In a year or two. But we can’t give up the constitution to some nobody. Because it will be a disaster. This is what I am afraid of the most," Lukashenko pointed out, as cited by the BelTA news agency.
Reiterating readiness to "share" powers, the incumbent head of state was clear though that this would never happen under pressure. "We need a new constitution. I’ve been proposed two variants, but rejected both of them, because they barely differ from the current one. The work on the third variant is underway. Come, let’s sit and work on the constitution and put it to a referendum. And I will relegate my powers to you by the constitution. But not under pressure and not through the streets," he said.
When commenting on calls for strikes, the Belarusian president said that "150 and even 200 people don’t set the tone at a plant." "The thing to understand is that the ‘bad’ president has maintained an excessive number of workers to make sure that no one is thrown on the street," Lukashenko noted. "Who wants to work, let them work. And as for those who don’t want to work, we can’t make them," the agency quoted him as saying.
Alexander Lukashenko stood firm saying that protests won’t bring him to his knees, according to an audio recording published by the Tut.by media outlet.
"I can see the way you intend to speak with the president," Lukashenko said. "No offense, but you won’t bring me to my knees. Don’t do anything that will, first and foremost, harm you and your families. You will see it in a week if you create chaos at the facility. Think about what I am saying today and what I told you yesterday. Listen, I have been through it all. I was a director [of a plant] and a common man, I know how it was done in the mid-1990s. Nothing like that will happen in our country," Lukashenko emphasized.
According to a TASS correspondent, the president’s helicopter later left the plant.
Meanwhile, several dozens people have gathered at the plant's gate. Some are holding posters demanding Lukashenko’s resignation. The gathering particularly involves Minsk Cable Networks employees. They expect workers from the Minsk Automobile Plant and the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant to join them. A man in civilian clothes addressed the gathering on behalf of law enforcement agencies and asked them to leave as they are taking part in an unauthorized activity. However, the people said they would not leave because they had the right to express their opinion.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, several thousand people were detained while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries. Opposition leaders called for strikes to increase pressure on the authorities.
Thousands of tractor plant workers head to downtown Minsk after PM’s refusal to talk
They demand resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections, a TASS onsite correspondent reported
14 AUG, 2020
© Natalia Fedosenko/TASS
MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Several thousand workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant headed from its premises to downtown Minsk after Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko refused to talk to them, a TASS onsite correspondent reported.
A procession of demonstrators, chanting "Go away!" is marching down Independence Avenue. Passing by the Minsk Cogwheel Plant, they chant: "Join us!"
Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the tractor plant to meet with its workers but they demanded to talk to him outside by the plant’s front gate with journalists present. They demanded resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections. Additionally, the workers demanded that "the troops are moved out of the city and all political prisoners are released with dismissal of all charges."
The Central Election Commission of Belarus on Friday published the final results of the presidential election which was held on August 9. According to the commission, the election was won by incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko with 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his closest rival, got 10.12% of the vote. Votes for other candidates were distributed as follows: Andrey Dmitriev - 1.21%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68%, Sergey Cherechen - 1.14% and against all candidates - 4.59%.
Similar exit poll results were announced on Sunday after the election. Later mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Since Sunday, residents have been taking to the streets in the evenings. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were detained and dozens of policemen and protesters were injured.
MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Several thousand workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant headed from its premises to downtown Minsk after Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko refused to talk to them, a TASS onsite correspondent reported.
A procession of demonstrators, chanting "Go away!" is marching down Independence Avenue. Passing by the Minsk Cogwheel Plant, they chant: "Join us!"
Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the tractor plant to meet with its workers but they demanded to talk to him outside by the plant’s front gate with journalists present. They demanded resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections. Additionally, the workers demanded that "the troops are moved out of the city and all political prisoners are released with dismissal of all charges."
The Central Election Commission of Belarus on Friday published the final results of the presidential election which was held on August 9. According to the commission, the election was won by incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko with 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his closest rival, got 10.12% of the vote. Votes for other candidates were distributed as follows: Andrey Dmitriev - 1.21%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68%, Sergey Cherechen - 1.14% and against all candidates - 4.59%.
Similar exit poll results were announced on Sunday after the election. Later mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Since Sunday, residents have been taking to the streets in the evenings. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were detained and dozens of policemen and protesters were injured.
Belarusian factory workers hold mass rallies against violence
The developments include a number of major industrial enterprises, according to the Belarusian media resource Onliner
© Natalia Fedosenko/TASSMINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Rallies and meetings of factory workers with the management are underway at a number of major industrial enterprises in Belarus, the main slogans being for fair elections and against violence, the Belarusian media resource Onliner reports.
READ ALSO
A large rally is in progress at the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant. There is no strike there at the moment. The plant keeps working as usual, Onliner says.
The Minsk Tractor Plant also saw a meeting between workers and the management. The plant’s CEO, his deputy and chief of the local trade union took part. Also, a rally and workers’ meeting with the management took place at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant. A worker said it was a mutual initiative of the employees and the management.
A crowd of several thousand gathered on the premises of the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) for a meeting with the administration. One of the employees told Onliner the plant’s CEO promised to do his utmost to secure the release of detained MAZ workers and their relatives.
Several hundred, according to Onliner, rallied at the Grodno Azot fertilizer plant. All senior managers were present at the meeting with the workers.
Mass demonstrations, sometimes entailing clashes with the police, began in Belarusian cities in the evening of August 9 after the results of exit polls following the presidential election were announced. More protests followed throughout the next few days. There have been spontaneous rallies at industrial plants. According to police sources, several thousand people have been detained. Dozens of police and demonstrators have been injured. According to official returns, the incumbent, Alexander Lukashenko, collected 80.1% of the votes, and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, regarded as his main rival, 10.12%. Tikhanovskaya said she did not recognize the results and lodged a protest with the Central Election Commission.
The Minsk Tractor Plant also saw a meeting between workers and the management. The plant’s CEO, his deputy and chief of the local trade union took part. Also, a rally and workers’ meeting with the management took place at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant. A worker said it was a mutual initiative of the employees and the management.
A crowd of several thousand gathered on the premises of the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) for a meeting with the administration. One of the employees told Onliner the plant’s CEO promised to do his utmost to secure the release of detained MAZ workers and their relatives.
Several hundred, according to Onliner, rallied at the Grodno Azot fertilizer plant. All senior managers were present at the meeting with the workers.
Mass demonstrations, sometimes entailing clashes with the police, began in Belarusian cities in the evening of August 9 after the results of exit polls following the presidential election were announced. More protests followed throughout the next few days. There have been spontaneous rallies at industrial plants. According to police sources, several thousand people have been detained. Dozens of police and demonstrators have been injured. According to official returns, the incumbent, Alexander Lukashenko, collected 80.1% of the votes, and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, regarded as his main rival, 10.12%. Tikhanovskaya said she did not recognize the results and lodged a protest with the Central Election Commission.
Thousands of tractor plant workers head to downtown Minsk after PM’s refusal to talk
They demand resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections, a TASS onsite correspondent reported
14 AUG, 2020
14 AUG, 2020
© Natalia Fedosenko/TASS
MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Several thousand workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant headed from its premises to downtown Minsk after Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko refused to talk to them, a TASS onsite correspondent reported.
A procession of demonstrators, chanting "Go away!" is marching down Independence Avenue. Passing by the Minsk Cogwheel Plant, they chant: "Join us!"
Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the tractor plant to meet with its workers but they demanded to talk to him outside by the plant’s front gate with journalists present. They demanded resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections. Additionally, the workers demanded that "the troops are moved out of the city and all political prisoners are released with dismissal of all charges."
The Central Election Commission of Belarus on Friday published the final results of the presidential election which was held on August 9. According to the commission, the election was won by incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko with 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his closest rival, got 10.12% of the vote. Votes for other candidates were distributed as follows: Andrey Dmitriev - 1.21%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68%, Sergey Cherechen - 1.14% and against all candidates - 4.59%.
Similar exit poll results were announced on Sunday after the election. Later mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Since Sunday, residents have been taking to the streets in the evenings. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were detained and dozens of policemen and protesters were injured.
MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Several thousand workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant headed from its premises to downtown Minsk after Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko refused to talk to them, a TASS onsite correspondent reported.
A procession of demonstrators, chanting "Go away!" is marching down Independence Avenue. Passing by the Minsk Cogwheel Plant, they chant: "Join us!"
Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the tractor plant to meet with its workers but they demanded to talk to him outside by the plant’s front gate with journalists present. They demanded resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections. Additionally, the workers demanded that "the troops are moved out of the city and all political prisoners are released with dismissal of all charges."
The Central Election Commission of Belarus on Friday published the final results of the presidential election which was held on August 9. According to the commission, the election was won by incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko with 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his closest rival, got 10.12% of the vote. Votes for other candidates were distributed as follows: Andrey Dmitriev - 1.21%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68%, Sergey Cherechen - 1.14% and against all candidates - 4.59%.
Similar exit poll results were announced on Sunday after the election. Later mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Since Sunday, residents have been taking to the streets in the evenings. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were detained and dozens of policemen and protesters were injured.
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