{"id":121966,"date":"2025-01-16T12:37:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T09:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/121966\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"kanapackajas-platform-muted-criticism-of-government-no-european-aspirations","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/121966\/","title":{"rendered":"Kanapackaja\u2019s platform: muted criticism of government, no European aspirations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Former opposition MP Hanna Kanapackaja, the only presidential contender who does not openly support Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, has repurposed her 2020 manifesto for her 2025 campaign. In the updated version, she shifts her criticism from the \u201ccurrent government\u201d to vague references to \u201cexternal forces.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n Word cloud based on the 2025 platform\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n Word cloud based on 2020 platform\n <\/div>\n \n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Shift Away from Europe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like her 2020 manifesto, the revised version contrasts two potential paths for Belarus: a positive and a negative one. In 2020, Kanapackaja accused the government of leading Belarusians down a detrimental path\u2014marked by depopulation, degradation and self-isolation, surrounded by enemies. In 2025, she instead claims that \u201cexternal forces\u201d are attempting to guide Belarus down this same path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the previous manifesto, Kanapackaja omits any mention of joining \u201cthe family of European peoples.\u201d The word \u201cEuropean\u201d is no longer part of her vision for the country she hopes to build after her potential victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her updated manifesto now reads: \u201cMy program, \u2018Belarus for People!\u2019 is based on the principles of a democratic, sovereign social state, a state for the people and every individual living in it.\u201d She also removed the statement that Belarus is \u201can integral part of European civilization\u201d but added that she fully understands that \u201cno one is waiting for Belarus in the European Union.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, she promises to restore relationships with all partners, including EU member states and candidate countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No promises to sever ties with Russia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanapackaja\u2019s 2025 platform signals a significant shift in her stance on Russia. In 2020, she promised to withdraw Belarus from the Union State and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, close Russian military facilities on Belarusian soil and force Moscow to reduce its military presence to zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, she asserts her opposition to Belarus\u2019 incorporation into Russia, emphasizing that no one would benefit from such a move. \u201cNo one\u2014neither Belarusians, nor Russians, nor Europeans\u2014needs its incorporation into the Russian Federation,\u201d she states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about depopulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the revised manifesto, Kanapackaja highlights concerns about Belarus\u2019 population decline, which has exceeded one million. In 2020, she blamed the government for this trend, while in 2025, she points to the broader period since Belarus gained independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She notes that tens of thousands of people have emigrated in recent years, seemingly referring to those fleeing political persecution. She blames the government\u2014without naming it\u2014for \u201cthe inability to cope with the current challenges,\u201d which she claims has undermined Belarus\u2019 reputation both globally and among its neighbors. However, she stops short of defining these challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political persecution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanapackaja has removed her earlier promise to \u201cban the use of the law enforcement agencies for political purposes and for combating dissent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power transfer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanapackaja advocates for \u201ca civilized, democratic transfer of power in our country without bloodshed.\u201d She pledges immunity from prosecution for former heads of state and their families, as well as for top government officials and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parliamentary system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the updated platform, Kanapackaja promises to hold a referendum on a parliamentary system for Belarus, replacing her 2020 proposal to modify the presidential system into a parliamentary-presidential one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National symbols<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanapackaja has removed the section from her 2020 platform that proposed restoring the Pahonia emblem and the red-white-red flag as national symbols. However, the platform now includes a commitment to honor \u201celements of historical memory without exception for nation-building periods\u201d as part of Belarus’ national historical and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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