Belarusian SMEs to continue resistance until compromise is reached

On February 15^th, private entrepreneurs and opposition leaders held a joint action in Minsk, which gathered scores of people and was the largest in the past year. The action took place on the October Square and was attended by about a thousand people. The organizers and participants expressed their intention to hold such actions every Monday, until the authorities agree to concessions. Meanwhile, the rally on February 22^nd is unlikely to be as successful as one on February 15^th. Firstly, because Minsk SMEs and SMEs in the regions are not equally interested in the outcome of negotiations with the government – regional SMEs would be more affected by the intransigence of the government. Secondly, because sharp political demands put forward by the opposition during the action are off-putting for SMEs. SMEs’ future protests are likely to shift to regional and district centres and are likely to continue until a compromise with the government is reached.

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