200,000 Protesters Take to Streets in Belarus Against Government... Lukashenko Says "Cannot Re-run Presidential Election"

by Jeong Hyunjin

Published 17 Aug.2020 06:34(KST)

On the Same Day, Protests in Support of President Lukashenko Held at Supporters' Initiative

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Protests by opposition supporters against Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko's sixth term continued on the 16th (local time). About 200,000 opposition supporters claiming that the election held on the 9th was rigged took to the streets, as President Lukashenko refused to hold a re-election.

According to AP News and others, opposition supporters gathered in front of the Obelisk on Victory Avenue in the northern part of Minsk, the capital of Belarus, in the afternoon. Anti-government protests in Belarus have continued for eight days. Opposition supporters have been holding large-scale resistance protests daily, protesting against the rigged election and Lukashenko's extension of power after preliminary results showed Lukashenko winning with over 80% of the vote.

The protesters took to the streets holding the symbolic white-red-white flags, balloons, and flowers, shouting slogans such as "Lukashenko step down." AP reported that the protest lasted about three hours, and unlike the first day of protests, police did not appear to suppress the protesters. Although no official count of the protest size was announced, it was estimated to be around 200,000 people.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the same morning, supporters of President Lukashenko also gathered in Minsk for a counter-rally. The counter-rally, reportedly held at Lukashenko's request, took place at Independence Square near government offices, with about 50,000 people attending, according to AP.

President Lukashenko appeared at this rally and addressed his supporters. He said, "NATO troops are making tank track noises at our doorstep, and Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and our brother country Ukraine are demanding a new election from us," adding, "If we are dragged along by them, our nation will perish."

He also emphasized, "The election was validly conducted, and there can be no manipulation of over 80% of the vote," and "If we hold the election again, we will be ruined. This is exactly what foreign countries want."