Pensioners disappointed in Lukashenka

• Zmiter Pankavets, “Nasha Niva”
• 29.12.2007, 15:45

People praise the opposition and scold Lukashenka in public transport. Even pensioners, who have been a solid basis for present leadership of the country. It was necessary just to cancel the benefits to provoke such a reaction.

I am riding the bus 19, passing the office of the Belarusian Popular Party. An old man says we should support the opposition, who is seating on Varvashenya Street, because they wouldn’t have cancelled benefits. Another pensioner takes up: if the youth took to square again, I would come with them.

Old women on bus stops claim they will never vote for Lukashenka any more. “Pensioners in the West have opportunities to rest, but we are deprived of our last. Now I understand, why this man... whatshisname... Kazulin, is in prison,” one of them says.

Pensioners have suddenly become the most disappointed with the authorities population group. Even my granny promised she would never vote for Lukashenka, because it has become expensive to go to Barysau for medicines. Persuasions of children and grandchildren didn’t influence her before.

If the opposition uses the moment, it will be able to gain the support of new social groups.