MINSK, 1 March (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said he has no intention to hold on to power in order to keep it for his children as he met with community leaders, experts, Belarusian and foreign media on 1 March, BelTA has learned.
“I promise you that I will not be president for life. I swear to you. Second thing: I promise that I will not hold on to power for the sake of my children and will not pass it on to them. I have no intention to do it,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
He emphasized that it is really hard to be president. “I do not mean to say that I am suffering or something. The job has its ups and downs. However, I am glad to have been elected Belarus' first president. I really appreciate it,” he said.
Alexander Lukashenko also commented on speculations alleging that Russian President Vladimir Putin and he want to unite the two states, divide offices and so on. “I say it publicly: it is not my first term in office, I am already fed up with this presidency. Therefore, I will never agree to destroy the country to fulfill personal ambitions (mine or someone else's). This means wrecking everything you did for over two decades. Therefore, everybody needs to calm down,” the head of state said. He emphasized that he is not going to extend his political career “using twists and turns”.
“Everything will be all right, in line with our laws. Today I feel that (I make this statement proceeding from my health today, the state of things in the country and the attitude towards me) I cannot but come forward as a presidential candidate. However, this is my vision today. Things might change, like health or something, and I will have to act differently. I will run for presidency. You can elect anyone you want. You don't have to vote for me. It is absolutely okay,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
The head of state noted that he did not do election campaigning during the previous elections and will not do it this time if he decides to run for the office. “My task is to offer equal opportunities for all candidates. If voters choose someone else, I will be absolutely okay with it,” he added.
