Economist Podcasts Not free, not fair, not finished: Belarus’s election
Aug 20, 2020
Arkady Ostrovsky, The Economist's Russia editor, discusses the widespread protests in Belarus against President Alexander Lukashenko, highlighting the people's demand for change. He explores the tension between Belarus and Russia amidst a backdrop of democratic suppression. Charlie McCann, The Economist's Southeast Asia correspondent, analyzes Indonesia's perilous environmental policies related to agricultural expansion. They delve into the risks of repeating past mistakes while questioning the effectiveness of these plans for food security.
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Stolen Election
- This Belarusian election differed from previous ones; Lukashenko seems to have genuinely lost.
- Evidence suggests the actual results were the inverse of what was officially announced.
Unprecedented Protests
- Belarus is seeing unprecedented protests, with hundreds of thousands marching.
- State terror, including rubber bullets, stun grenades, and detainment, met the protesters.
Reasons for Public Anger
- Public anger stems from economic stagnation, lack of freedom, and Lukashenko's COVID-19 response.
- His dismissive attitude toward the virus further fueled disillusionment.