FM: True democracy must mature within society

The minister noted that sometimes those who call themselves democrats act exactly the opposite. For example, we have seen outright threats and intimidation against civil servants, military personnel, law enforcement officers and their families. "My family faced this too. Just after yesterday's speech [at the Belarusian People's Congress on 11 February] my wife received a hundred of such calls, texts, posts on Instagram and Facebook. Let's this be on their conscience," the minister said.

"I believe that these methods are completely incompatible with true democracy. I call it a fascist-style democracy. I am convinced that this is the case. In general, it would be goof if everyone stopped using labels... Both the authorities and protesters. And think about what the Belarusian people need in this situation. It is important to do it not through a revolution, not through street protests but within the existing legislative framework." Vladimir Makei said

"Yes, such a progressive movement forward will take more time but it will be a genuine democracy, a true development of man and society, not a managed democracy that they are trying to impose here from the outside. This term coined by the famous Vladislav Surkov was in use in the Russian Federation a few years ago. I'm totally against it. I believe that genuine democracy should mature within society. The same applies to political parties. As the president said yesterday [in his speech to the Belarusian People's Congress] they should really crystallize within society. Then they will really play the role that they should play in the political system of the state," the minister concluded.