22 November 2006
Left-wing parties declare establishment of alliance

Three opposition parties, the Belarusian Party of Communists, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Hramada" and the Belarusian Women's Party "Nadzeya" on Wednesday signed a document declaring their intention to form an alliance of left-wing parties.

At the ceremony, Sergei Kalyakin, leader of the Belarusian Party of Communists, said that talks about an inter-party alliance had begun after this past March's presidential election.

He said that the three parties shared basic Social Democratic values, such as freedom, equality, solidarity and justice.

The alliance will aim to return the country to the rule of law and democracy, carry out gradual political and economic reforms, tackle poverty and improve the country's image in the international arena.

Yelena Yeskova, leader of the Belarusian Women's Party "Nadzeya," emphasized the need for the alliance to combine efforts to democratize the country. She said that the alliance would make the parties stronger and their work easier.

Anatoly Levkovich, acting head of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Hramada" (BSDP), called on the parties to jointly struggle for the release of Aleksandr Kozulin, former presidential candidate who leads the BSDP.

He said that the alliance was not being formed in opposition to the coalition of united pro-democratic forces. He said that it would be open to all political groups sharing Social Democratic values. //BelaPAN