The protests began after August 9. People took to the streets after they got the preliminary results of the presidential election. According to the official data, 80% of votes were given to Lukashenko.
People were extremely outraged, because the entire course of the campaign proved the opposite. Thus, at the polling stations, there were huge queues of supporters of alternative candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Most likely, Tikhanovskaya would have won in the first round in case of the honest vote count.
However, like the previous elections during the 26 years of Lukashenka's rule, the entire election procedure was organized in such a way that it is impossible to determine the true result. The fact is that independent opinion polls are prohibited in Belarus and only state ones are allowed. By the way, the last permitted poll in March showed only 25% support for Lukashenko. However, after that the polls were banned. Independent experts are not allowed to ask people about their decision when they are leaving a polling place. The election commissions did not include representatives of the opposition. There were about 2,000 applications and only 18 were approved. Only representatives of Mr. Lukashenko were allowed to be observers. The list was made in advance in order to protect people for the virus. Observers who managed to enter polling places were got out by security forces. Over 80 people were arrested. Voting results should have been presented in every polling place. However, organizers violated the national law deciding not to do this.
As a result, people lost trust in the elections.
After the vote, people came out to celebrate the victory of Tikhanovski, but they were met by very aggressive-minded forces. The nightmare lasted three days. At least 7,000 people were severely detained. Several days later, they were released. All detainees told about cruel beatings, inhumane conditions of detention (one person died of a heart attack due to a lack of air), gas tortures (smoke bombs were thrown into the cell and the doors were locked), women were humiliated, threatened with rape, etc.
No wonder that the whole country came out to protest.
The largest meeting took place on Sunday. It attracted from 200 to 400 thousand people. The rallies were held all over Belarus.
Yesterday, on August 17, 8 of the 10 largest enterprises in Belarus went on strike with the same demands. BelAZ, MTZ, Belshina, Belaruskali and other were among the protestors.
Lukashenko decided to visit factories, but workers met him shouting "Leave".
Lukashenko said that there will be no new elections as long as he is alive.
At the same time, he said that he is ready to give up power, but after the adoption of the new constitution. Everyone understands that this is an attempt to gain time. Mass meetings in all cities are held every day.
Even state television is on strike.
The security forces have not tried to disperse the protesters since August 14. There is practically no police and protesters do not commit any violations. Everything is peaceful.
The main factor is the strike. A strike committee has been set up. About $750,000 has been already raised to support the victims. Svitlana Tikhonovskaya said that she is ready to become a leader for the period after Lukashenko's departure until new elections that could be held in 6 months.
The European Parliament, the party leaders have declared that Lukashenko is illegitimate and persona non grata in the EU. They supported Tikhanovski who is forming Committee for the transfer of power.
Analysts suppose that Lukashenko made three mistakes:
1) Registered Tikhanovskaya as a candidate and underestimated the ability of a simple housewife; 2) Presented people absolutely incredible 80% of the votes, which blew up the situation;
3) Repeatedly worsened his position by sending security forces to violently disperse completely peaceful people on August 9-12.
An attempt to resort to the help of Putin's security forces will be another mistake of Lukashenko. He will become a despised politician in the country as Yanukovych.
We are monitoring the situation.