Italy’s parliamentary group For Democratic Belarus boasts record numbers

July 7, BPN. For Democratic Belarus at the Italian parliament ranks among the largest such groups, Franak Viačorka, an aide to Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, has told BPN.

Italy is he 21st country whose parliament set up an inter-factional group in support of a democratic Belarus. As many as 38 MPs have joined, he said.

The group will hold awareness hearings on Belarus, Viačorka noted. Its members may visit Warsaw and Vilnius to meet with Belarusian exiled opposition politicians, civil society leaders, and victims of politically-motivated persecution.

The group managed to unite Italian MPs and senators with different political affiliations, both from the ruling and opposition parties, Cichanoŭskaja noted.

The creation of the group sends a clear “message of solidarity” to the Belarusian people, she said. The politician called on Italy to use its “powerful voice in the international arena” to support Belarus.

Belarusian opposition leader met with several Italian top politicians, including Democratic Party’s leader Elly Schlein, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and the vice-presidents of both chambers of the Italian parliament, Anna Rossomando and Anna Askani.

Cichanoŭskaja is staying on an official visit in Italy from July 5 to 7 at the invitation of the Italian parliament and foreign minister.