Belarusian authorities manage people’s expectations in anticipation of upcoming electoral campaign

The Belarusian authorities are preparing for the autumn-winter electoral campaign through organising political, economic and power headquarters. Amid trending economic recovery, President Lukashenka has reassumed responsibility for the social and economic development. In coming months, the president is likely to resume the populist rhetoric to boost ratings of public institutions.

The president has resumed periodic meetings on topical issues. Amid economic recovery, his likely aim is to boost ratings of public institutions, and his popular rating in particular. During the economic downturn, the president refrained from holding such events and avoided important decisions on the immediate domestic agenda.

Yet the authorities have not finally decided on the central theme of the 2017/2018 electoral campaign; their likely choice is between the economic agenda (as a priority) and security issues. The president has set populist tasks before the government, such as ensuring wage growth, 100% employment, equitable distribution of incomes and minimal property stratification in society, retain housing construction volumes at reduced costs, price regulation and control over inflation.

The authorities are particularly targeting rural areas, where the support for the authorities, electoral mobilisation and turnout are traditionally high. De facto, the president has confirmed additional state funding for the agro-industrial complex (dairy farms, flax production, production of combined harvesters, etc). In addition, the president is attempting to form positive expectations of welfare growth among education and culture workers, who make most members of election commissions.