Belarus Calls for Retirement During Presidential Speech Protest Continues August 18 6:04
In the former Soviet Belarus, protests continue to blame the results of the election, which led to the incumbent president Lukashenko's six elections last week in the presidential election. Even in factories under the control of the administration, it is an unusual situation that employees openly ask for retirement during the President's speech.
In Belarus, in response to the fact that President Lukashenko decided six elections with 80% of the votes in the presidential election held on the 9th of this month, protests are spreading due to the fact that the election results are incorrect and widespread. Is being done.
Protests are being carried out not only by the citizens but also by many state-owned enterprises that were under the control of the government at the same time.
Under such circumstances, President Lukashenko himself visited a factory in the capital city of Minsk and addressed him, saying, "The election is done in a civilized manner and there is no injustice," but in the meantime, employees "go out." There is an unusual situation, such as the voice that demands the resignation rises openly.
In addition, the speech at the venue was forced to be interrupted for a moment, and the voice calling for resignation is growing stronger.
On the other hand, Mr. Chihanovskaya, a housewife who is an opposition candidate in the election and is now in neighboring Lithuania, sent a message in a video on the 17th, saying, "You guys have believed in me and have given me strength. ", and expressed his determination to thoroughly confront.
White, red and white flags are symbols of movement
In the protests that followed in Belarus, many of the participants were holding white, red, and white flags, rather than red and green.
This flag was used by the "People's Republic of Belarus" under the German occupation during World War I, and was not used during the Soviet era, but when Belarus became independent in 1991, it was officially flagged. Was adopted as.
However, President Lukashenko, who had a strong tendency to return to the Soviet Union, changed to the current flag whose design was similar to the flag used in the Soviet era in 1995, the year after assuming office.
For this reason, the white and red flags have become a symbol of the movement for a free and democratic Belarus, which is different from the Soviet and President Lukashenko's dictatorship, and has been raised during repeated protests.
Strengthening criticism of European governments
European countries are increasingly criticizing the Belarusian government's response.
German President Steinmeier accused the demonstrators of violence on the 17th, and British Foreign Minister Raab also called for an investigation because he was not accepted in a fraudulent election.
Against this backdrop, EU President Michelle announced today that an emergency summit meeting will be held online this week.
The conference will once again condemn violence against civilians who continue to protest, as well as exchange opinions on the sanctions on Belarus already agreed at last week's EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
A senior EU official also said, "To get out of the crisis, dialogue between the government and the people is necessary, and there should be no foreign interference," and is prepared to provide military support to Belarus as necessary. It seems that Russia will be restrained as well.
President Trump "Terrible situation"
Regarding the ongoing protests in Belarus over the outcome of the presidential election, President Trump will closely watch the situation by saying to the reporters at the White House on the 17th that "it is a terrible situation. The United States is watching the future". Showed an idea.