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Opposition leaders prove unable to adopt procedure for selecting single presidential contender because of lack of quorum

Opposition leaders were unable to adopt a procedure for selecting a single presidential contender at their meeting in Minsk on Monday because of a lack of quorum, Uladzimir Kolas, chairman of the Rada (Council) of the Belarusian Intelligentsia (RBI), told BelaPAN.

Only half of the expected presidential hopefuls were present at the meeting, which was hosted by the Rada, whereas Yaraslaw Ramanchuk, Alyaksandr Kazulin, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew and Vital Rymashewski were unable to attend, as they were out of Minsk, Mr. Kolas said.

Owing to this, the matter was postponed to July 8.

According to Mr. Kolas, the Rada pointed out to those present that the process of selecting a single presidential contender had taken too long and might soon be of no use, as there would not be enough time for preparations to ensure an efficient and successful campaign.

If the selection of a single candidate continues to be delayed, the RBI may withdraw from this process, Mr. Kolas noted.

According to him, apart from Messrs. Ramanchuk, Kazulin, Nyaklyayew and Rymashewski, consent to participating in the RBI-mediated process of selecting a single opposition candidate has been given by presidential hopefuls Mikalay Statkevich, Alyaksandr Yarashuk, Syarhey Kalyakin and Ryhor Kastusyow, whereas Alyaksandr Milinkevich and Ales Mikhalevich have refused to be involved and Andrey Sannikaw remains undecided.