Belarus: Presidential Hopeful Haydukevich Says He Will Become President

(RFE/RL)

Syarhey Haydukevich, leader of the Belarusian Liberal Democratic Party, is registered as a candidate in the country's presidential vote in May. On 10 January, Haydukevich answered questions posed by the listeners of RFE/RL's Belarus Service. The following are selected excerpts.

RFE/RL: Why do you want to become a president of Belarus?

Syarhey Haydukevich: I will become president. Everything is heading towards this outcome. The future belongs to us.

RFE/RL: What are your chances of being elected? Which of the candidates you would support yourself?

Haydukevich: I am moving forward all the time, my rating is growing, the image of the party is also getting better. Millions of people know me. I have enormous support. There the so-called "candidate of the united opposition [Alyaksandr Milinkevich] has no chance. I want him to think about that.

RFE/RL: What is your election slogan?

Haydukevich: Long live new Belarus; long live unity.

RFE/RL: What is your opinion about the EU after the bloc's enlargement?

Haydukevich: I support the EU and its enlargement. I think it is important for us to seek better relations with the EU.