Democrats successfully negotiate with the Lithuanian authorities as the Cabinet mobilises the diaspora to press for sanctions

Civil society and democratic forces succeed in defending the interests of Belarusian citizens and mitigating restrictions as the Lithuanian Seimas overrides the veto of President Gitanas Nauseda. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s cabinet is mobilising the diaspora to pressure Western capitals and promote new sanctions against the Lukashenka regime.

The Tsikhanouskaya Coalition endeavours to mobilise political migrants and exiles by organising the “Conference of Belarusians of the World II” and an anti-nuclear campaign as part of the traditional “Chernobyl Way” opposition demonstrations held in various cities around the world.

The Coordination Council is increasing its media presence as a consolidated representative body of democrats and civil society. The Council will announce plans for direct elections, which broaden civil society representation and increase transparency.

Tsikhanouskaya’s cabinet aims to mobilise civil society behind the “Economic coercion” campaign by sending appeals to top EU officials and foreign ministers of EU states.

Political exiles mobilise to advocate for the interests of Belarusians with Lithuanian authorities. Following Tsikhanouskaya’s meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Coordination Council urged Lithuania not to apply equal restrictions on Belarusians and Russians, and activists in Warsaw held protest actions near the Lithuanian embassy. As a result, the veto of President Nauseda was overruled in the Seimas.

The epetitions.by team continue to support public activism and advocate for the interests of local communities with petition campaigns, although their audience is declining due to repression.

Democrats risk narrowing their audience due to their focus on the international agenda and sanctions that may lose relevance to a wider domestic audience.