Treacherous interview
Alexander Lukashenko wants to mime the father of the country – but only exposes the dictator
Alexander Lukashenko likes to present himself in military uniforms
© Sergey Shelega / DPA
The role of the self-sacrificing father of the country is Alexander Lukashenko’s favorite. But a new interview with a veteran Kremlin propagandist shows how badly he plays it.
While Vladimir Putin is conducting one of the biggest maneuvers since the end of the Cold War on his doorstep, Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko presents himself as the servant of his people. In an interview with one of the Kremlin’s most phrenetic propagandists, Vladimir Solovyov, he is the father of the country. The interview has not yet been published in its entirety. But individual excerpts are already being distributed online by bloggers loyal to the regime.
But what was apparently intended to be sold as pearls actually reveals the dictator behind the put-on mask. Solovyov asks: “How many more years will Lukashenko be the leader of Belarus? Have you answered this question yourself?” The propagandist does not call Lukashenko president, head of state – he calls him leader. And in Solovyov’s mind, it is Lukashenko himself who decides whether he will remain in power, not the Belarusian people.
And Lukashenko agrees: “If there is a difficult situation around Belarus, such as a war, and if we are torn apart inside, like in 2020, then he will always be,” he replies, speaking of himself in the third person. “But if everything stays calm and a contender shows up, then we will decide.” It remains unclear whether Lukashenko slipped out the Pluralis Majestatis here.
Alexander Lukashenko in his signature role
Finally, the dictator slips into his parade role, that of the self-sacrificing father of the country. “Believe me, I’m not president because I want to be president so badly,” Lukashenko continues with a smile on his face. “God forbid you get into such a situation,” he says in a confidential tone to Solovyov. “If you are dependent on many frameworks, then you are simply bound.” Be it through your country “that you made with your own hands with someone” or your children.
“So this isn’t work, it’s a service,” adds the long-serving TV presenter willingly. Lukashenko likes this. “You were right about that,” he replies.
At the service of the dictator
When the conversation turns to the nationwide mass protests in the summer of 2020, the propagandist rolls out the rhetorical red carpet. “When they came out with a machine gun, it became clear that they are more willing to die than leave,” he says pathetically, while Lukashenko puts on a stoic expression. The fact that these words also reveal the character of the dictatorial regime escapes both of them this time. For Solovyov, the most surprising thing about the strange appearance is not the Kalashnikov in Lukashenko’s hands, but the lack of a helmet.
We can remain curious about the remaining pearls from this masterpiece of propaganda. The ones already published You can also see excerpts from the independent TV channel Dozhd, for example.