MINSK, 28 January (BelTA) – The decision to run for presidency during the latest presidential election was the right one. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he answered questions of the people invited to attend his address to the nation and the parliament on 28 January, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Thank god, I didn't walk away from the latest presidential election. [Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya] Kochanova should be credited for it. When we gathered, I contemplated not running for presidency and said I just wanted to live in peace.”
The Belarusian leader reminded: “I decided to run for presidency in order to avoid your blame later on as Kochanova said. I said if the country goes upside down and something goes wrong, you will not forgive my walking away from this election. So I went for the presidential seat. I didn't campaign. I met with activists and told them what's going on. I told them to go and tell people how we are going to live later on.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, he encouraged people to give signatures to alternative candidates. “Back then I said I will not be offended if people vote for someone else. I was ready for your electing someone else as the president. I didn't jail anyone to prevent them from becoming the president. Those were cheats. I see what's going on,” he stressed.
As he delivered his address to the nation and the parliament, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked the nation three questions: Are Belarusians ready to pay for their own defense, for their own state? Are you ready for pay for this precious thing – sovereignty and independence? Are you ready to be enterprising and work for yourself? The fourth question was asked in addition to the previous ones. “What could have happened if there had been no Lukashenko in August 2020? I beg your pardon for immodesty. I've already answered this question. Back then I was running around with an assault rifle together with my kid not because I wanted to show off. There was danger. I was running around to protect my own thing because I'd created it with my own hands together with you. But I was in the lead, I made those decisions. And I defended you like my own kids. I could not abandon you. My life would have been worth nothing then. I was resolute like that. And god forbid if there had been a different president,” Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded.
