{"id":192991,"date":"2026-06-23T13:35:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/192991\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T13:35:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:35:38","slug":"belarus-coordination-council-seeks-relevance-beyond-symbolism","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/192991\/","title":{"rendered":"Belarus\u2019 Coordination Council seeks relevance beyond symbolism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Belarus\u2019 exiled opposition has formed what it describes as a proto-parliament, the Coordination Council, which re-elected Arciom Bruchan of the Coalition \u0141atu\u0161ka and the Movement for Freedom as its speaker during its first session on June 19. While many critics tend to downplay its role or dismiss it altogether, the Coordination Council is viewed by the authorities in Minsk as a body challenging Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s grip on power.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Just over 2,000 Belarusians voted in the Coordination Council election held in May. Despite the low turnout, the authorities branded all nine political groups running for seats \u2014 a total of 174 candidates \u2014 as \u201cextremist\u201d in an attempt to disrupt the vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition\u2019s representative body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Juryj Hubarevi\u010d of the Movement for Freedom, which joined Pavie\u0142 \u0141atu\u0161ka\u2019s coalition to form the largest faction in the Council, described it as \u201cthe only representative body of the Belarusian democratic forces formed through a direct election.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an interview with The Viewer<\/em>, he argued that the Council gives Belarusians an opportunity to discuss the country\u2019s future and elect their political representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Coordination Council creates space for competition among ideas, platforms and political teams, which is an integral part of any democracy. It also ensures additional accountability for democratic institutions and maintains their connection with society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the Council demonstrates to international partners that Belarus\u2019 pro-democracy movement is much broader than a small group of leaders and their organizations. He also highlighted its role as a platform where different political groups can work towards compromises on key political issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, political analyst Valeryj Karbalevi\u010d says the Council has fallen short of its ambition to become a parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than a discussion forum, but short of a parliament<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Council has attempted to evolve from a discussion forum into a real parliament, but has become stuck halfway, Karbalevi\u010d told The Viewer<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He questioned its claim to be a \u201crepresentative body,\u201d noting that just over 2,000 voters took part in the election. That is a small number considering that hundreds of thousands of Belarusians live in exile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karbalevi\u010d also argued that the Council is not doing enough to debate and draft legislation for a future democratic Belarus or to hold opposition politicians accountable for their performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, he pointed out that despite its diminished role, the Council is regarded by the Belarusian authorities as a significant threat to the regime. He cited criminal cases opened against its candidates, as well as severe DDoS attacks on the voting platform and media outlets that covered the election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commenting on the low turnout, Karbalevi\u010d said: \u201cPeople don\u2019t quite understand why they should make an effort to form a body whose functions are not obvious in terms of usefulness or its contribution to democratic transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first Coordination Council was established in 2020 to negotiate with a government that at the time appeared to be on the verge of collapse. However, the regime ultimately survived through severe repression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still relevant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

U\u0142adzimir Mackievi\u010d, an opposition politician released from a Belarusian prison in September, insists that the Council has real power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomeone must represent the part of society that is not under the control of the Minsk regime. Only an elected body, such as the Coordination Council, has a legitimate right to represent society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mackievi\u010d, the Council can provide legitimacy to other opposition executive bodies, define their powers and functions and hold them accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut the Coordination Council is not doing its job. Most members do not even understand their mission, nor do they realize that only the Council has real power. That is why no one else can capitalize on its authority,\u201d Mackievi\u010d said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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