"You can't wait for me to do something under pressure": Lukashenko rejected the possibility of new elections in Belarus

On the morning of Monday, August 17, a helicopter carrying President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko landed on the territory of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT). The head of state addressed the employees of the enterprise, in particular, commenting on the strikes.

“I know, even though some are wandering around. Well, 150 at some enterprise, even 200 do not make the weather, in the first place. Secondly, one must understand that the “bad” president kept an extra number so that people would not be thrown out into the street. You need to proceed from this. Those who want to work, let them work. They do not want to work, well, we will not force them, ”BelTA quotes Lukashenka.

According to him, if there are those who want to leave the workplace, then "no one will spread rot, please, the gates are open."

“As for this plant: what is missing? You are subjects of economic activity, economy. You are being pushed into the political plane. But remember: there - in politics, where you rushed - other laws. So that later it won't hurt either me, or you, or the people when we lose the state, ”Lukashenka said.

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Performing while shouting "Go away!"

Lukashenka's speech was accompanied by shouts: "Leave!" by the employees of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.

“I understand that many are tense with the situation on the streets, that there was violence and so on and so forth. I am also answering this question. We needed a reason for you to shout: "Go away!" - said the head of state.

According to him, the actions of the security forces were the result of provocations by some participants in the riots. He also "instructed to deal with each fact."

“We will respond appropriately to provocations ... Calm down. If someone has children, take your head in your hands and understand that a military man will never forgive you when you hit him in the back in a car, ”Lukashenka added.

The President of Belarus also issued a warning to those who oppose him.

“If you dump it on the streets, we will endure. If you go to break - answer. Here is a man's conversation for you, ”Lukashenka said.

He also indicated that there will be no repeat elections.

“We held elections. Until you kill me, there will be no other elections, ”the Tut.by portal quoted the head of state as saying.

Explaining his refusal to hold re-elections, Lukashenka stressed that he would never do anything under pressure. 

“There will be no (elections. -  RT ). Because there will be no MZKT, no MAZ, no BELAZ, we will destroy everything in six months, ”Lukashenka said.

During his conversation with the workers of the MZKT, Lukashenka also announced the work on amendments to the Constitution to redistribute power. According to him, state changes should take place like this, and not "under pressure and not across the street."

“A new constitution is needed. I was offered two options. I rejected them because they differ little from this one. Work is underway on the third option. Come, sit down - and we will work on the Constitution. We are submitting it to a referendum, adopting the Constitution, and I will hand over my powers under the Constitution to you. But not under pressure or across the street! " - explained the Belarusian leader.

Lukashenka added that he is "not a saint" and can show toughness, but "if there were no toughness, there would be no country."

“You know for sure that I will not offend your children and I will not give the country to anyone. This is the main thing ... I am not eternal. But if you ruin the first president, you will ruin, as in neighboring countries, everyone else. Belarusians should not do this, ”he said.

After the end of Lukashenko's speech, a helicopter took off from the territory of the MZKT, but it was not known whether the president of the republic was on board.

Meanwhile, employees of other city enterprises were heading to the entrance of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.

Workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant go to the MZKT, where Alexander Lukashenko arrived earlier pic.twitter.com/FgMwqcEAVG

“The workers of the Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after Kozlov came to our checkpoint, they offered the employees of MTZ to move forward together towards the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. All comers were released. That is, they decided to support their colleagues, declared a strike, left their workplaces and headed to the MZKT, ”RIA Novosti quotes a press service representative.

In addition, it became known that workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant went on strike from 08:00 on August 17. The rolling line at the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant will be stopped at 12:00.

In addition, some of the protesters gathered near the building of the Belteleradiocompany. They demanded a meeting with the chairman of the state broadcaster Ivan Eismont.

"Come out!"

Those gathered near the building of the Belteleradiocompany demand a meeting with the chairman of the NGTRK Ivan Eismont pic.twitter.com/8I2M9GNIi4

Protests in Belarus began on the evening of August 9 after the preliminary results of the presidential elections in the republic appeared. According to the CEC, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won over 80% of the vote, opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - over 10%.

"I am ready to act as a national leader"

Also on the morning of August 17, a new appeal by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was published. She noted that she was not going to become a politician, but by the will of fate she found herself "on the very front line of confrontation with arbitrariness and injustice."

“You gave me your votes, I really appreciate it and I absolutely know why you did it: we all wanted to get out of this endless circle, in which we found ourselves 26 years ago. I am ready to take responsibility and act during this period as a national leader so that the country calms down and enters a normal rhythm, "Tikhanovskaya said.

• Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
• RIA News
• © Victor Tolochko

She also turned to law enforcement officers.

"You should know: we will always accept you if your thoughts are pure and your repentance is sincere," Tikhanovskaya said.

In addition, the former contender for the presidency of Belarus Valery Tsepkalo, against whom the Belarusian law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case on suspicion of giving a bribe, announced the opposition's readiness for a peaceful dialogue with Alexander Lukashenko.

"Sure. Naturally, we need to conduct a dialogue, ”he said.

The politician stressed that the current president of Belarus can receive guarantees of immunity, avoiding persecution, if he leaves voluntarily.

Indeed, the opposition is ready to start a dialogue with Lukashenka and is ready to consider the option with the inviolability of him and his family members in the event of a peaceful and voluntary transfer of power.

Tsepkalo also said that he had already discussed the situation in the republic with Russian and European parliamentarians, and would soon hold a meeting with American legislators.

“We will have this meeting tomorrow. With congressmen, senators - those who are interested in the situation in Belarus. We will have a closed online conference. Already ten people have applied. These are both Democrats and Republicans, "Tsepkalo stated.