Opponents of power intend to strike a blow, Sunday, August 16, in several Belarusian cities. The channels on the Telegram application - engine of the protest - evoke Sunday as the most important day since the start of the movement.

Encouraged by the events of the past few days, which have not been dispersed as the first post-election demonstrations were, the protesters call for a wide demonstration in Minsk, but also in all other cities of the country, at 2 p.m. (local hour).

Already on Saturday, thousands of people marched in the Belarusian capital. President Alexander Lukashenko, for his part, called on Vladimir Putin's Russia for help.

Demonstrations coupled with a strike movement

The movement is gaining momentum in Belarus, as evidenced by Gulliver Cragg, France 24 correspondent in the region. Several factories have joined a strike movement to which the national airline Belavia and the national television-radio have also joined, whose technicians and cameramen say they no longer want to participate in the production of propaganda.

In the highest spheres, the Belarusian ambassador in Slovakia is the first diplomat to be passed on the side of the demonstrators. Enough to encourage the protesters who demand the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko, whose re-election on August 10 is widely contested.

Alexander Lukashenko seeks reinforcement in the East

Faced with the challenge, the Belarusian president does not back down. On Saturday, the latter asked to meet with his Russian counterpart, suggesting that the protest in Belarus posed a threat to the entire region.

In a statement quoted by Russian news agencies, the Kremlin said the two heads of state expressed confidence that the "problems" would soon be resolved. However, the press release does not mention security support for Belarus.

On Saturday, the United States and Warsaw called on Minsk for dialogue with civil society.

The day before, the European Union had ordered sanctions against Belarusian officials linked to the repression or electoral fraud.

With AFP

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