MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – A dialogue is not a manifestation of strength or weakness, it is a manifestation of common sense, Kirill Koktysh, Assistant Professor at the Political Theory Department of MGIMO University, told the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper.
“Today a dialogue seems to be the only way to avoid simplification of the political system, which is detrimental to everyone. In this regard, the search for a dialogue with the authorities is not a manifestation of strength or weakness, it is a manifestation of common sense. It is highly desirable that it be mutual. It is impossible, for example, to simultaneously demand a dialogue and resignation – this does not make any sense. Nevertheless, emotions cannot replace logic, and a dialogue needs people and their vision of the future. We do not see it on the part of protesters. If there is no vision of the future, there are no prospects, and this is called irresponsibility,” the expert believes.
According to him, the constitutional reform proposed by the government provides for the establishment of institutions, the very existence of which will allow hearing everyone and minimizing the dependence of important decisions on a certain personality, which, in theory, should be the goal of the nationwide protest.
“Thus, strengthening political parties, and subsequently the institution of parliament and local self-governance – is nothing else but building a solid communication between the authorities and the society. This will be done anyway, but either by a decision from above, or through a dialogue. How this will be achieved is a question of choice of the protest and its leaders, if the protest produces any leaders in the end, though it is difficult to do it taking into consideration the online nature of the protest. The sooner the opposition understands it and the sooner it begins to be guided not by emotions, but by reason, the more chances it has to get a residence permit in the new political system and become its significant part,” Kirill Koktysh said.
