During Sunday’s live broadcast on Youtube, wannabe presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka answered people’s questions and elaborated on his political ambitions and his vision of the country’s independence.
“As I see it, independence is to do what you think is necessary and right without getting in others’ way. I do not want [anyone] to meddle in our affairs and teach Belarus what to do,” Viktar Babaryka said.
According to him, it is impossible to build an independent state when there is no solid foundation. It is the culture and national identity that appear to be such cornerstones in Belarus. Our people are the main pride of the country, the politician noted.
“I am Belarusian and I love my country very much. My nomination proves that it is of great value to me. Unfortunately, I do not use my native language on a daily basis. My speaking [Belarusian] is not perfect, but I promise that I will have a good command of the both languages,” Babaryka stressed.
The politician claims he is in favour of any union that would ensure the country’s further development, but it should not limit its independence. In the event of his winning the election, Babaryka is set to address the barriers to self-realisation and self-employment, which, in his opinion, would foster Belarus’ economic progress.
The Belarusian Central Election Commission (CEC) have registered 15 of 55 initiative groups. It means that over a dozen wannabe candidates got the green light for collecting signatures to be nominated for the 2020 presidential run. There are both establishment and moderate opposition politicians among them.
To officially become a presidential candidate, a contender must get 100,000 signatures for his/her nomination. The initiative groups are to be engaged in collecting signatures from May, 21 to June, 19. The names of the candidates will be announced in mid July, and the election will be held on August, 9.
Philanthropist and banker Babaryka had been Chairman of Belgazprombank Board since 2000. On May 12, when he revealed his presidential ambitions, he voluntarily resigned from his senior management job.
