Lukashenko: on politics and business

The President has recently been reported by the Chairman of the State Control Committee, Vasily Gerasimov, and the Taxes and Duties Minister, Sergei Nalyvaiko. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, “Any businessman who wants to go in for politics must strictly follow the law. Politicians and businessmen must observe the laws.”

The Head of State drew attention to the lessons of last year, “We've recently seen who is who and have started harshly demanding the payment of taxes and the normal behaviour of businessmen. I don't mean that a businessman has no rights and has no right to an opinion of their own. Absolutely not. However, I’ve always emphasised – and I think smart businessmen heard me – that politics and business are different things.”

Definitely, laws cannot accommodate any eventuality but the key is clear. “If someone has stolen other belongings – as it often happens (and we know the examples) – and then goes into politics to cover it all up and blame the government if something happens by claiming he is an honest businessman and faces accusations only because of his political career… Some of the existing prisoners behaved in this way. Such practice will be definitely stopped and it’s no need then to take offense with the authorities,” stressed the President, adding, “The government is worth something if it can protect not only itself but also its people. The government is not a revolving door but a serious matter. It’s the state and millions of people. Businessmen should clearly understand this.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded, “This does not mean that businessmen and company heads are forbidden to go in for politics. They can and elections are aimed at this purpose. Go, fight and be incorruptible. Act in such a way so that you couldn’t be accused of anything. A political career should be pursued by people with clean hands.”