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Statkevich calls for closer coordination between opposition presidential hopefuls

Prominent politician Mikalay Statkevich called for closer coordination between opposition presidential hopefuls.

In an interview with BelaPAN, the 54-year-old presidential contender said, "We will turn into clowns if we fail to reach agreement, at least on the coordination of actions, so that we have one center, one force, one will, one strategy. The more so if we start fighting for some ephemeral ratings on the Internet - don't we know how they are made? I look at these ratings from just one point of view - for me these are conscience ratings - some people do this and some don't. Is the one manipulator, of whom we have been unable to get rid for 17 years, not enough? We must stop these ridiculous races."

"Frankly speaking, I have little faith in the possibility of a single candidate - he may be if all reach agreement. Of those who have announced the collection of 100,000 signatures, Messrs. Sannikaw and Mikhlaeivch have flatly refused to agree on this. So, there can be no single candidate already. Then let's create some council of pro-democratic candidates as proposed by Uladzimir Navasyad, someone must coordinate the opposition."

"In fact, those who have gathered more than 100,000 signatures are opposition leaders now. And they must create some coordinating body, so that at least they share a single strategy, that they don't criticize each other, don't seek these cheap PR ratings. So that at least they don't hamper those who are trying to take some real actions in this election, namely put pressure on the authorities to make them count the votes and change the rules of the game," Mr. Statkevich said.

Speaking about his forecasts for the coming election, the politician said, "I may make just one forecast - I will be doing my utmost no matter what. We must return the right to elect to the people, return elections instead of fraud to Belarus. I've already said what must be done for this. We must make calls to people, organize them, lead them and together with them put pressure on the authorities. I'm ready to do all this - either alone or together with other candidates."