BELARUS: In the “millstones” of the exploitative system

The opposition to Lukashenko with the old flag of the country,
which was used during the German occupation

The article was published in “Rizospastis” newspaper, Organ of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), on 22/8/2020, under the title "BELARUS: In the “millstones” of the exploitative system".

The “baton” of imperialist intervention ended up in Belarus

By Elisaios Vagenas.

On August 10th, the day after the recent Belarus presidential elections, a tanker docked at the port of the Lithuanian city Klaipeda,  carrying 76,000 tons of crude American oil,  ordered by the “last dictator of Europe”, as the western Mass Media likes to call the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus’ white and red flag: A symbol of Nazi collaborationists and counterrevolution

A characteristic of the recent Belarus protests is the use by the demonstrators of the white-red flag. Shortly after the announcement of the elections’ result on August 9th, the streets of Minsk flooded with opposition-backed protestors waving white-red flags. 

But what is the actual meaning of the Belarusian white-red flag and what’s the history behind it?

It was used for the first time by the short-lived anti-Bolshevik Belarusian National Republic (BNR) between March 1918 and February 1919. During the interwar period, it was occasionally used by political and non-political organizations, including the conservative Belarusian Christian Democracy (1927). 

Russian Communist Workers' Party on Belarus: The "Belarusian Maidan" must be prevented

In a declaration about the elections and the ongoing protests in Belarus, the Political Council of the CC of the Communist Workers’ Party of Russia - Revolutionary Party of Communists (RKRP-CPSU) points out that a possible “Belarusian Maidan” must be prevented. 

The RKPR-CPSU notes that “the opposition did not recognize the results even before they were announced, even long before the elections”, adding that “it does not really matter whether this right-wing opposition is pro-Western or pro-Russian” because “in any case, it is pro-imperialist”. The Belarusian opposition – states the party – is “clearly nationalistic in nature” and “in many respects similar to the Kiev Maidan”. 

Belarus under the threat of a "color revolution"?

The landslide victory (with 80.23% of the votes) of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus’ presidential elections on Sunday sparked violent protests by supporters of the opposition in Minsk and other cities. A protester was killed and dozens were injured following clashes with police forces. 

Opposition leader  Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who received 9.9% of the votes, refused to accept the results, stating that they were rigged. 

“I consider myself the winner of this election” Tikhanovskaya said in a statement before leaving the country for Lithuania.