Presidential election in Belarus: will Tikhanovskaya unbolt Loukacheno?

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2 min

Voting day in Belarus. Against all expectations, the ballot will not be the simple formality that everyone expected. Because faced with the irremovable Alexander Lukashenko, the opposition has managed to unite behind Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the wife of one of the candidates rejected by the Belarusian power. This 37-year-old housewife, completely unknown to the general public, has been able to shake up the codes, and galvanize the opposition arousing immense hope among her supporters.

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From our special correspondent in Minsk , Daniel Vallot

A concert of horns to support the opposition, and challenge the Belarusian president. Driving his old gray car, Dennis is once again participating in this new form of protest in Belarus. With, around the wrist, the white bracelet of the supporters of the opposition. “  White is a symbol of protest, we raise our fists, we recognize each other and that's why people honk their horns. Because we want this man to go away and we can choose a normal candidate  , ”exclaims Dennis.

Everyone has had enough of the president, he has no more support

Olga Kavalkova, spokesperson for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

Daniel Vallot

Such an openly hostile speech towards Alexander Lukasheno would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago, but the campaign led by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has changed that. This is the sentiment of Ilya and Anton, who also support the opposition. “  People feel they can choose their future like in a European country ,” says Ilya. And this year, there are those who will vote for the first time in 20 years. People want change, and they have seen new leaders emerge . "

For Anton: “  People don't see a future with Lukashenko, they are tired of him. 26 years in power, it's crazy! They are so fed up that they could elect anyone else  ”

The opposition has raised its head in Belarus. But she has no illusions about the outcome of the ballot. In the absence of independent observers, the opponents of the Belarusian president expect massive fraud during the count.

► To read also :  Presidential in Belarus: "In the absence of any control, the figures are manipulable"

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• Belarus
• Alexander Lukashenko