Democratic forces aim to establish contact with members of election commissions as Tsikhanouskaya attempts a dialogue with the authorities

Democratic forces in exile are promoting a unified strategy for a referendum and attempt to establish contacts with possible members of election commissions and with representatives of authorities. Amidst tension over migration issues on Belarus’ western borders, the Belarusian Diaspora helps to retain Belarusian domestic issues on the agenda of Western capitals.

The unified strategy of the Democratic Forces for the upcoming constitutional referendum and its promotion inside Belarus prompts security forces’ threats of criminal liability for disrupting the plebiscite.

Security forces continue to fight with still high influence of independent media in Belarus. Last week they expanded the list of extremist groups to include independent media in exile, hoping to reduce their audience and influence on the agenda of the political campaign in 2022.

The Coordination Council and “Honest People” are trying to establish contacts with possible members of election commissions at the referendum planned in February 2022.

Political organizations continue to consolidate their supporters and organise online events. “Our Party” held an online debate on neutrality. The Greens continue to collect aid for migrants at the border of Belarus with Lithuania and Poland.

Independent think tanks are promoting the reform agenda, and sociologists are conducting a public opinion study in the country.

Financial Times listed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya among the most influential women in the world. BAJ was awarded the National Prize of Ukraine for the Defence of Freedom of Expression named after Igor Lyubchenko.

Tsikhanouskaya attempted to intercept the agenda in Belarusian-Russian relations as relations between Minsk and the Kremlin deteriorated: she provided her responses to questions from Lukashenka’s interview with MIA “Russia Today”. The democratic leader of Belarus also attempted to establish contacts with representatives of the Lukashenka regime in anticipation of a dialogue.

Political emigration continues to institutionalise, unite efforts and generate new initiatives in support of democratic transformations in Belarus, as well as maintaining ties within the diaspora. Organizations and initiatives in exile are trying to retain their potential and provide services to Belarusians online. A “Belarusian Youth Hub” opened in Warsaw, and the International SportTech Hackathon was held in Vilnius.

Political activity in Belarus is likely to continue to consolidate online, primarily due to fear of repression for any offline public activity.