A presidential candidate in Belarus Ales Michalevic addressed the voters on TV on November 22. The young politician was clearly seen to be worried. Nevertheless, he warned from the very beginning that he's unwilling to "participate in the competition of candidates' promises." In this regard, he made his speech of a "question — answer" character.
The candidate’s red tie was especially noticeable for the TV audience, whose questions he’s reading out from the laptop, placed in the corner. The candidate spoke mostly in Russian, only twice using the Belarusian language, answering the Belarusian-language questions.
Ales Michalevic, remarked from the outset that the current economic model is outdated. According to him, it was relevant at the end of 1990 — the beginning of a new century, but it no longer meets today’s needs. Therefore, regardless of the election’s winner, the economic model will have to be changed, the candidate said.
According to him, large-scale enterprises were not built during the presidency of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus; the ones, built within the USSR, will no longer yield super-profits.
Speaking about privatization, Ales Michalevic said that it’s not an end in itself. «Economic efficiency is the objective,» he said, noting also that the contract system should be abolished with introduction of self-government instead.
The candidate called for the preservation of Belarus’ membership in the Customs Union, if profitable. «If it’s effective, it’s worth staying,» the politician believes. However, he stressed that one should seek «less of ideology but more of economy.»
He also spoke in favor of attracting Russian investments, all the more, that they could be brought by the Belarusians, living in Russia.
Neutral Far from Pacifist, Michalevic
Ales Michalevic stressed the necessity to preserve the army together with the country’s neutrality. «I’m for a neutral Belarus. But neutral does not mean pacifist,» he said.
According to him, Belarus should conduct joint tactical exercises both with NATO and Russia. The candidate spoke out against the choice between the EU and Russia. In his opinion, it is necessary to develop relations both with the West and Russia, drawing attention to the south and the north — the Ukraine and Scandinavia. According to the politician, Belarus is unwilling in the EU. As he believes, it’ll take 10-20 years for Belarus to enter the EU with the other president in office.
The candidate is a staunch opponent of recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Kosovo. According to him, post-war border should be maintained in Europe, otherwise the continent will turn into a combat field.
Economic Amnesty Introduction Needed, Michalevic
Ales Michalevic is sure that the number of police officers shouldn’t be reduced, because «the economic transformation will inevitably leed to the crime rise.» In addition, the politician stated that all officers of the armed forces should receive the appartement to live in a desirable localities at the end of the service. He also spoke out against the large-scale amnesty, except for the amnesty of «economic» offenders.
However, candidates does not consider it possible to increase pensions in the country, since today’s rise, in his opinion, will certainly affect the growth of prices, as well as the dollar rate. He also advocated the introduction of private land ownership to attract investors and promote development of agriculture.
Ales Michalevic completed his performance with words about the need to ban the production and sale of the country’s fruit wines, better known as «bagwine», «hobo juice» or «byrlo.»