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| Lukashenko is often referred to as Europe's last dictator |
Belarusian
President Alexander Lukashenko faces an increasingly restive public as the
country's severe economic crisis drags on. Demonstrators are demanding free
elections and better living conditions.
Around
1,000 protesters took the streets of the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Saturday
to demonstrate against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko and his
handling of the country's worst economic crisis in years.
The
protesters rallied in the center of Minsk where they called on the government
to halt price inflation, free political prisoners and hold free elections.
"Lukashenko
has led the country into a political and economic catastrophe," rally
organizer Viktor Ivashkevich said.
Minsk has
sought to devalue its currency, the ruble, in order to make its exports cheaper
and boost its struggling economy. The devaluation, however, has pushed up food
prices. Last month, the government lifted restrictions on food prices
altogether.
"We don't
want to pay for the crisis," read one of the banners displayed at the
protest, as trade union leader Gennady Fedynitch warned of food riots if
nothing was done.
Lukashenko
has held the reigns of power in Minsk since Belarus became an independent country
after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Last December, he won another term as
president in an election considered by Western nations to have been rigged.
Author:
Spencer Kimball (AFP, AP)
Editor: Andreas Illmer
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