Łukašenka insists on shorter street lighting despite public criticism

February 6, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has insisted on reducing street lighting hours despite widespread criticism on social media following an experiment in Minsk on February 4, when street lights were switched on later than usual while many people were still returning home from work.

The following day, apparently in response to the backlash, Minsk authorities turned on street lights 30 minutes earlier than on February 4 and turned the lights off earlier than usual next morning.

Commenting on the public outcry at a government conference today, the Belarusian leader said that Minsk city head Uładzimir Kuchareŭ had turned off the lights “15 or 10 minutes earlier,” adding, “My God, they compared [Belarus] with Ukraine.” He argued that such savings were economically significant, claiming that “these 10–15 minutes… produce three dairy farms and seven preventive facilities for calves in savings throughout the year.”

Łukašenka also said that saving 10 minutes of lighting time translates into a 10-percent increase in pensions.

He added that Minsk has many alternative sources of light, including illumination from shop windows and buildings. According to him, he personally looked out of his window and went outside his home to check when it gets dark.

The Belarusian leader also complained about the costs of operating the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, noting that each replacement of nuclear fuel rods costs between $150 million and $200 million.

He suggested that the social media backlash might be “an information and psychological special operation” against Belarus.