The last of three opposition leaders still in Belarus after trying to unseat Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed election have called on the West not to recognise him as president and said his 26-year rule was crumbling, EDNews.net reports citing TRT World.
Maria Kolesnikova, who allied in the election with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said a spreading industrial strike after days of protests over alleged rigging of the election meant it was just a matter of time until Lukashenko left power.
"This is obviously one of the most important moments and turning points. Factory workers have been the pillar of the Lukashenko regime for the last 26 years," she told Reuters by video call from Minsk.
"It could happen today or in one month's time," she said of Lukashenko's exit. "This has never happened in our history before...We don't know how the elite will react."
