Belarus votes on whether Lukashenko can stand for third term, amid Western concerns
Published:
17 October 2004 y., Sunday
Belarusians were set to cast their ballots Sunday in a constitutional referendum to decide whether their authoritarian leader can run for a third term, amid Western fears of a rigged vote and further diplomatic and economic isolation for the ex-Soviet republic.
Seven million voters, in this impoverished Slavic state of 10 million people on Europe's eastern edge, will also elect a new 110-seat parliament which Lukashenko has already vowed will not include a single foe to his rule.
With many of his enemies in jail, exile, or operating underground, the chances seem high that "batka" -- or "dad" as the former collective farm boss is known by his supporters -- will get his way.
"On October 17, vote FOR Belarus," exhorted the front page of Belarus's state-controlled daily "Sovyetskaya Belorusia" under a huge photograph of a beaming Lukashenko.
The picture showed the president holding a little girl wearing a red scarf reminiscent of the Soviet Union's Communist Youth movement.
It seems a fitting, somewhat vague image for Lukashenko's vision for a country that has struggled to find its identity throughout history, mostly ruled by Russia or other European dynasties.
Šaltinis:
AFP
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The use of animals in scientific experiments could soon be reduced by new legislation, approved by the Agriculture Committee on Monday, which strives to strike the right balance between improving animal welfare and assisting research against diseases.
more »
EU holidaymakers travelling by plane or train are protected by a whole range of consumer rights.
more »
The European Commission welcomes the European Parliament voting in favour of a regulation on rights of passengers travelling by sea and by inland waterways.
more »
Mobile phones, computers, TVs - we like them but where do they go when we are finished with them? In the worst case they can be dismantled by hand for scrap by children in developing countries.
more »
Following the death of President Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, on 28 June Lithuanian Embassies abroad opened the door for people, who want to sign the Condolence Book.
more »
Passengers will enjoy easier access to information about their rights when travelling by rail or air thanks to a Europe-wide publicity campaign in 23 languages launched by the European Commission today.
more »
Lithuania has been grieved by the heartbreaking news about the decease of Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, former President, Prime Minister, Signatory to the Act of Independence, and the first Head of State of Lithuania after the Restoration of Independence.
more »
We have lost a warm person and a prominent politician who had been at the wheel of state at challenging and difficult stages in the history of Lithuania.
more »
Europe's financial and economic crisis is increasingly becoming a social crisis too, and is testing European solidarity to the limit.
more »
In a move to enforce a style of dress they believe is in accordance with sharia law, the authorities in the Muslim Indonesian province of West Aceh are handing out long skirts to women wearing tight pants.
more »