Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with trusted individuals
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, held a meeting with trusted persons on January 3, reports BELTA correspondent.
— As you know, the registration of candidates for the President of Belarus has been completed. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who supported me. A total of 2.5 million signatures have been collected — this is a high level of trust, and we must do everything to meet the expectations of our supporters, — emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. — I ask you to organize gratitude for these people. When you are in labor collectives, in organizations, do not forget to thank people for giving their signatures in support of the incumbent President.
— You are the trusted persons of the incumbent President in the literal sense of the word. I approached you with the request to be trusted persons because I know you personally. Moreover, you know me to some extent. There were many proposals, and many people wanted to be a trusted person. We were at the regional children's clinical hospital, and the chief physician said with such resentment: how is it that I was a trusted person last time, and now I have been excluded. It is not about whether someone was excluded or not; the approach has changed a bit: people should know me at least a little, but not in the sense that they saw me on television, but that they were involved in one or another side of the President's politics, — noted the head of state.
— And I am grateful to you for agreeing to this. I promise that if the people suddenly vote for us, I will not let you down. For me, you know, this is the heaviest burden. They say: Father, Father, we trust you, and so on. This is the most frightening thing for a President (I think for others too): trust must be justified. Especially for me, — said the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko reminded that the final stage of the electoral campaign has started — the campaigning phase.
— You will be the main actors. Frankly speaking, I simply will not have time for this, — he said.
The President explained that his work schedule in January will be filled with traditional events. On Christmas, Alexander Lukashenko plans to visit one of the churches. During these days, there will also be a ceremony for the award of the "For Spiritual Revival" prize and special presidential awards.
— That is, a whole complex of current issues, without which it is impossible, which have become a tradition, — emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. — Then there is an invitation from the Chinese leadership to visit China. We need to meet with the leadership of China to determine our future policy for the long term. This is one of our strategic partners.
Earlier, the head of state proposed to China to build a new building for the National Historical Museum in Minsk.
— There I need to look at the Chinese museum as well, since they have started building their museum of the history of Belarus. I need to see this great museum; there is much to see, — noted the President.
— On the other hand, I selected trusted persons also with the aim that you are all involved in the policy we are implementing. Therefore, if there is criticism from the people, you will shift it onto someone or onto the President. You will have to bear some degree of responsibility for what people will criticize us for. But the main thing here is not campaigning (what is there to campaign for the President, he is seen every day), the main thing is to get feedback. After all, you will have the greatest trust and attention. And people will understand that you will convey to me the problems that the people are living with, — Alexander Lukashenko pointed out.
Even at the stage of collecting signatures, people were passing their requests, wishes, and instructions to the members of the initiative group. As reported by the current head of the headquarters, the chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions Yuri Senko, there were about 500 of them.
— They have been analyzed. I see absolutely no problems there. These are issues related to housing and communal services, improvement of territories (the coming year will be the Year of Improvement, so we will have to take this seriously), transport work, and the condition of roads. We will accelerate these processes, — said the head of state. — But the complacency that we have now, especially among the "batkas," is of no use. Under no circumstances should we relax. Especially since we are in power: what kind of relaxation can there be? If people trust us to continue working, we must continue this work. We must continue the policy we started. I have thought very carefully about all the issues we have dealt with. I do not see any problems that are secondary or tertiary and do not need to be addressed. All the problems we have dealt with so far are relevant and will remain so in the future. Moreover, I always emphasize: the coming year will not be easy.
The President instructed to pay special attention to ensuring that all actions of the headquarters are carried out in strict accordance with electoral legislation.
— Moreover, what is the point of violating something and exposing ourselves to criticism, — he added.