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Lyawkovich says that he may run for President in 2015

Anatol Lyawkovich, a former head of the Hramada Belarusian Social Democratic Party, who brands himself a representative of the "constructive opposition," told BelaPAN on Tuesday that he might run in the 2015 presidential election in Belarus.

According to a statement published on May 28, four organizations have thrown their support behind Mr. Lyawkovich. They include the obscure Centrist Party of Belarus, a group called For Lyawkovich, a Ukrainian ethnic association called Ukrainian Home, and a certain Council of Euro-Atlantic Cooperation.

They praise Mr. Lyawkovich for his opposition to radical actions and describe Mr. Lyawkovich’s platform as completely consistent with the Belarusians’ worldview.

Mr. Lyawkovich said that although he had not had any talks with the organizations about his possible presidential bid, he was pleased to have their backing and could not rule out his participation in the 2015 election.

Anatol Lyawkovich became chairperson of the Hramada Belarusian Social Democratic Party in August 2008. However, his leadership style, criticism of opposition forces and approval of some of the government's steps caused a split within the opposition party and led to his exit from the organization.

Earlier this year, Mr. Lyawkovich announced plans to establish an NGO called Social Democrats for Dialogue and Consolidation. //BelaPAN