BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/04/2008

Belarusian State-Sponsored Group To Participate In Elections

Alyaksandr Shatsko, the deputy chairman of the Belaya Rus (White Rus) association, told Belapan on April 1 that his organization is planning to field candidates in all 110 electoral districts in legislative elections planned for this coming fall. Shatsko added that Belaya Rus's participation in the elections will be discussed at the association's first national convention, in May. According to Shatsko, Belaya Rus's membership has reached 75,000 people. The organization, which was officially registered in December, grew out of a group founded in Hrodna in 2005. It held a series of state-sponsored local conventions last year to set up a network of grassroots units. Belaya Rus is chaired by Education Minister Alyaksandr Radzkou, and, in a political technique reminiscent of the Soviet era, lists among its members state officials of all levels, managers of state-run companies, legislators, popular-culture figures, and athletes. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/04/3-cee/cee-020408.asp

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