Belarus Protests: Tsikhanouskaya Says Ready to Lead the Country

(Patria) – Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated on Monday that she is ready to lead Belarus, and called for the establishment of a legal mechanism for fair presidential elections.

Addressing from Lithuania via video link, Tsikhanouskaya called on law enforcement agency representatives to switch to the side of the people, which would help them be forgiven for past actions.

This video message followed a day after the culmination of mass protests on Sunday in the capital Minsk, when citizens chanted 'resign' directed at long-time ruler Alexander Lukashenko.

- I am ready to take responsibility and perform the function of state leader during this period, Tsikhanouskaya stated, emphasizing the need to capitalize on the momentum created by the protests that have been ongoing for a week.

The former English teacher, whose husband, also a prominent opposition figure, is in prison, fled to Lithuania 'for the safety of her children' after officially dismissing the election results as rigged.

Unrest has also spread to parts of society generally considered loyal to President Lukashenko, who denies defeat, citing alleged 80% support in the elections as proof.

It was reported from the Russian Kremlin on Sunday that President Vladimir Putin told Lukashenko that official Moscow is ready to help Belarus if it becomes necessary, and if there is 'external pressure' on the country.

Russia is closely monitoring the situation in this former Soviet republic because Belarus is a route for Russian energy exports to the West, and also because Moscow considers Belarus a 'buffer zone' against the NATO alliance.