Lukashenka promises no shift in economic policy

Alyaksandr Lukashenka made it clear on Sunday that no drastic economic reforms should be expected.

“Everything should be calm, without revolutions, especially in the economy,” he told reporters after casting his ballot at a polling station in Minsk. “I not only studied this economy at a mature age but also touched it with my hands.”

National economies should never be reformed in a revolutionary way, he stressed.

Mr. Lukashenka described the two decades of his economic policy as an “evolutionary path” aimed at cushioning any unwelcome consequences of reforms.

Speaking about reforms, he said that he was ready for “any transformations” but questioned the people’s readiness for them. “Will you endure them? Do you need them?” he wondered. “I’m ready to do what you want. No one can reproach me for acting contrary to the people’s wishes throughout all these years.”

“If you give me carte blanche for any reform and drastic transformations I will do so. But we’d rather take the evolutionary route.”

According to Mr. Lukashenka, “any leader should be just half a step ahead of his people.”

Mr. Lukashenka arrived at the polling station in company with his youngest son Kolya, who helped him put his ballot paper in the ballot box. // BelaPAN