The Belarusian opposition’s recently declared aim for the country to join the European Union was criticised by some for being at odds with the demands of people living inside Belarus. But this criticism is misguided.
In an openDemocracy opinion article, Paul Hansbury argued the EU aspirations of exile leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya could distance her from the Belarusian public. Although Hansbury poses the right question – how to ensure Belarus’s democratic forces stay united and do not lose connection with people inside Belarus – I believe he is mistaken on how to achieve these goals.
Firstly, he states Tsikhanouskaya’s EU aspirations could further divide opponents to Lukashenka. This argument is founded on a false premise. The main goal of all opponents to Alexander Lukashenka is to get rid of Alexander Lukashenka, hold free and fair elections, and have a democratic transition in Belarus.
