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Collapsing Economy Weighs on the Authorities – Digest of Belarusian Economy
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A labour strike at a major state-owned plant in June suggests that the current economic crisis will present serious political challenges to Belarus. Despite it being an election year, wages and pensions are not growing – a rare occurrence. Yet,...
25 June 2015
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Is Russia About to Send New Weapons to Belarus?

Last week, Belarusian Defence Minister Andrei Raukou told TASS news agency that the political talks on when and where to place a Russian airbase in Belarus were still continuing. Moreover, “it is too early to discuss when aircraft...

24 June 2015
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Building Regime Support Among Youth – Belarus Photo Digest

Older Belarusians nostalgic for the Soviet past rather than youth make up President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s natural electorate. Since the late 1990s, Lukashenka has put considerable effort into building support among younger people. A key role in the process was played...

23 June 2015
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Dobry Rovar, Superheroes School – Belarus Civil Society Digest

Recently youth educational centre Fialta held subbotnik in one of the Minsk districts. Volunteers were equipping the abandoned site together with municipal services. Minsk inhabitants protest against construction through dedicated web site. Inhabitants have created a special web site where...

16 June 2015
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Political Parties in Belarus – Do They Really Matter?

On 9 June, the Chairman of Central Election Commission, Lidzia Yarmoshyna, declared that the 2015 presidential election in Belarus would take place on 11 October, pushing it ahead of the previously declared 15 November date, the latest possible date...

12 June 2015
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Belarus and the United States: Stepping Stones to Nowhere

On June 10, US President Barack Obama extended sanctions against Belarusian leaders for one more year. Responding to the news, press secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dzmitry Mironchyk observed a “clear improvement” in Belarus-US relations in...

10 June 2015
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Political Prisoners – No Longer a Sticking Point in Belarus-EU Relations?

This May, the Belarusian authorities increased pressure on a number of political prisoners, including former presidential candidate Mikalaj Statkievič, anarchist Mikalaj Dziadok and political activist Jury Rubcoŭ. This move appears unreasonable when set against a backdrop of improving relations with...

8 June 2015
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Successful Crowdfunding, Protestants Allowed to Gather For Prayer – Belarus Civil Society Digest

Mova Nanova website has reached 100,000 views per month. First success of Belarusian crowdfunding at Talaka.by – animated Peppa Pig collects 164% of the needed amount. Stakeholders continue discussion on establishment of the National University for Belarus.   First Mahiliou city...

3 June 2015
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Patriotic Tattoo Fest 2015 – Belarus Photo Digest

Belarus Tattoo Fest took place in Minsk on 30-31 May. More than thirty artists participated in the event. In its third year, the festival adopted Belarusian history and culture as key themes. Visitors tattooed themselves with national symbols, bought skateboards...

2 June 2015
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Chinese Investment, Forgotten Vitebsk, Forced Labour Hunger Strike – Western Press Digest

As Lukashenka tries to improve ties with his Western counterparts, questions arise as to the merits of this thaw in relations for both parties. Despite the conciliatory tone of US and EU officials, their representatives at the UN Human...