Владимир Мацкевич. Фото: facebook.com/philosopher.in.prison
Uladzimir Matskevich has proposed postponing the Coordination Council elections and reforming the body. According to him, elections to the Coordination Council are necessary, but they are not properly prepared at present.
Matskevich believes there are objective reasons for this lack of preparation, although he also sees blame on the part of certain “figures and structures”. In his view, it would be possible to examine the reasons and assign responsibility, but there is no institution or structure where such an assessment could be conducted correctly, a decision taken and implemented.
“Our socio-political structures have not been fully formed. But the main and central institution has been created — the Coordination Council. True, it has not even mastered the basic functions of a representative body. And here too, certain figures are to blame, both in the Coordination Council itself and in other structures. Now is not the right moment to look for those responsible. It would be enough to acknowledge mistakes and show readiness to correct them. The main problem is not someone’s guilt, but general political illiteracy and egoism”, he wrote on Facebook.
In this situation, Uladzimir Matskevich proposes several measures. First, he suggests postponing the Coordination Council elections until autumn. In his opinion, November would be a suitable time.
Second, he says there should be a “PR campaign, but not for agitation — rather for eliminating illiteracy”. The goal of this campaign would be “to explain to the wider public (potential voters) and candidates the meaning of representative power and the functions of a representative body”.
Third, Matskevich proposes changing the rules and regulations for forming the Coordination Council, including abandoning formal quotas and cutting the number of delegates by half.
“Create regional election commissions in countries and regions with large diaspora communities (Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Western Europe, North America, Asia-Australia, perhaps Israel)”, Matskevich wrote.
His fifth proposal is to begin preparations for a transition to a mixed electoral system for the Coordination Council, combining majoritarian and proportional elements.
“Political clubs and initiative groups of activists should hold preliminary meetings, develop an agenda for the near future and form lists of candidates”, Matskevich added.
He considers it possible to keep the current composition of the election commission, but says it is necessary to “ensure its independence from the decisions of the leadership of the previous convocation of the Coordination Council”.
“Existing executive structures (the United Transitional Cabinet, the National Anti-Crisis Management, the Office of Political Prisoners, existing and emerging parties, active NGOs) should determine why they need the Coordination Council and why the Coordination Council needs them.
Announce fundraising to support the work of the election commission and, in the future, the Coordination Council itself”, Matskevich concluded in outlining his proposals.
It should be recalled that elections to the Coordination Council are scheduled for May 11-17. Today is the final day for submitting electoral lists for participation in the elections. As of March 30, six groups had expressed interest in taking part: “European Choice”, “Law and Order”, “Latushka Coalition and the For Freedom Movement”, the Belarusian Political Prisoners Bloc “Belarus in Action”, “Enough Being Afraid!” and the United Civic Platform.
Viktar Babaryka and the Bloc have announced that they will not participate in the elections.