Belarus’ president defiant as post-election strike heightens
MINSK, Belarus — More workers in Belarus joined a widening strike Tuesday to press for the resignation of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has extended his 26-year rule in an election the opposition says was rigged.
Lukashenko has refused to step down following a harsh police crackdown on peaceful protesters in the days after the Aug. 9 vote.
In a move intended to secure the loyalty of law enforcement agencies amid the demonstrations and strikes, he signed a decree honoring over 300 police officers for their service.
The opposition denounced the awards as a national insult following the suppression of protests with rubber bullets, stun grenades and clubs. Nearly 7,000 people were detained, hundreds were injured and at least two people died.
The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, insisted the awards weren’t linked to the crackdown that has galvanized public anger and drawn international criticism. In a tacit recognition of a split in the ranks, the ministry’s spokeswoman said in a statement that some officers had resigned under pressure and threats from the opposition.
She didn’t say how many quit.
Lukashenko’s actions prompted thousands — including workers at state-controlled factories and plants, actors and broadcasters — to walk off the job.
The prospect of a nationwide shutdown was an unprecedented challenge to Lukashenko, who has relied on blue-collar workers as his base of support. During Monday’s visit to a factory in Minsk he was heckled and jeered by workers shouting “Go away!”
The labor action that began Monday quickly grew to several major industrial plants, including a factory that accounts for a fifth of the world’s potash fertilizer output.
In Soligorsk, home to the giant Belaruskali factory, strike organizer Anatoly Bokun said workers at all potash mines have halted work. The factory, which employs 16,000, is Belarus’ major cash earner.