Second opposition coalition established in Belarus
MINSK. Sept 23 (Interfax) - A number of the Belarusian opposition parties and movements said that they had formed the Talaka civil alliance for just and fair elections and for a better life and would aspire to guarantee the right to free and fair elections.
"Our goal is to achieve the resignation of the authoritarian regime and to return the legal rights that Belarusians have been deprived of, primarily, the right to freely choose their authorities and the country's course. It is necessary to join the efforts not only of political structures but of the majority of those supporting the changes, including independent unions, public organizations, free mass media and concerned citizens in order to achieve the set goal," the coalition said in its memorandum.
"Determining an alternative to Lukashenko in the presidential elections in 2015 will be an essential part of our campaign," the coalition said. "It is necessary to aspire for a single candidate who is nominated and then supported by as many people as possible, [people] who disagree with the existing state of affairs and want changes for the better. With this purpose we propose that a procedure for the nomination of an alternative presidential candidate be organized, which will be open to the participation of all citizens," the coalition said.
The Talaka coalition is comprised of the United Civil Party, the Belarusian left party 'Just World', the organizing committees for the establishment of Nadezhda (Hope), the Belaruski Rukh (Belarusian Movement) and the Belarusian Party of Workers as well as the Young Belarus unregistered entity and the For Fair Elections campaign.
This is the second opposition coalition in Belarus. The Belarusian People's Front party and For Freedom public organization, Tell the Truth civil campaign and the Belarusian Social Democratic Part Gramada has said they had formed the People's Referendum coalition. The organizing committee for the establishment of the Party of Freedom and Progress has said it wanted to join the coalition.