Belarusian Left Party "A Just World"

The Belarusian Left Party "A Just World" (Belarusian: Беларуская партыя левых «Справядлівы свет», romanizedBielaruskaja partyja lievych «Spraviadlivy sviet») is a former left-wing[4] political party in Belarus that opposes the government of president Alexander Lukashenko. Until October 2009, it was known as the Belarusian Party of Communists (PCB; Belarusian: Партыя камуністаў беларуская; ПКБ, romanizedPartyja kamunistaŭ bielaruskaja; PKB, literally "Party of Communists Belarusian").

Belarusian Left Party "A Just World"
Беларуская партыя левых «Справядлівы свет»
LeaderSergey Kalyakin
Founded7 December 1991; 32 years ago (1991-12-07) (PCB)
25 October 2009; 14 years ago (2009-10-25) (BPL)
Dissolved29 September 2023; 6 months ago (2023-09-29)
Preceded byCommunist Party of Byelorussia
Headquarters11th building, Radialnaya St, Minsk, Belarus. 220070
NewspaperNovyi Tovarishch (New Comrade)
IdeologyRevolutionary nationalism[1]
Left-wing nationalism[2]
Socialism[3]
Anti-Lukashenko
Political positionLeft-wing
National affiliationUnited Democratic Forces of Belarus
European affiliationParty of the European Left
Continental affiliationForum of Socialists of the CIS Countries
Colours  Red
AnthemThe Internationale
House of Representatives
0 / 110
Council of the Republic
0 / 64
Local seats
2 / 18,110
Website
spravmir.org

History

Founded as the Belarusian Party of Communists (PСB) in 1991 as the legal successor to the ruling Communist Party of Byelorussia, the organization originally emerged as one of the major political parties in independent Belarus. With Lukashenko having become president in 1994, a split in sentiment occurred within the PBC and in 1996, a pro-Lukashenko faction of the party broke away and formed the Communist Party of Belarus.

In the 13–17 October 2004 legislative elections, the party was part of the People's Coalition 5 Plus, which did not secure any seats. These elections fell significantly short of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) standards according to OSCE's Election Observation Mission. Universal principles and constitutionally guaranteed rights of expression, association and assembly were seriously challenged, calling into question the Belarusian authorities' willingness to respect the concept of political competition on a basis of equal treatment. According to this mission, principles of an inclusive democratic process, whereby citizens have the right to seek political office without discrimination, candidates to present their views without obstruction, and voters to learn about them and discuss them freely, were largely ignored.[5]

The party was banned for six months for paperwork irregularities on 2 August 2007.[6]

The party has been led by Sergey Kalyakin since founding. In February 2007, Kalyakin visited the United States and met both chambers of the US Congress, Department of State officials, and representatives of non-governmental organizations in order to discuss ways in which the US could influence processes that were taking place in Belarus. In addition, Kalyakin suggested that the US, the European Union and Russia cooperate to develop a common policy regarding Belarus.[7]

As of October 2009, the party is a member of the Party of the European Left.[8]

In November 2009, the party was renamed to the Belarusian United Left Party "A Just World."[9]

Ban

On 30 June 2023 it became known about the decision of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus to refuse to re-register the party.[10] This was followed on 29 September 2023 by the party being formally liquidated by the Supreme Court of Belarus, making it the final opposition party to be dissolved in Belarus.[11]

Electoral history

Presidential elections

ElectionCandidateFirst roundSecond roundResult
Votes%Votes%
1994Vasil Novikaŭ253,009
4.29%
Lost N
2001Sergey KalyakinNot admitted to the elections
2006Endorsed Alaksandar Milinkievič405,486
6.12%
Lost N
2010Did not contest
2015Sergey KalyakinNot admitted to the elections
2020Did not contest

Legislative elections

ElectionLeaderPerformanceRankGovernment
Votes%+/–Seats+/–
1995Sergey Kalyakin
43 / 260
New1stOpposition
2000
0 / 110
437thExtra-parliamentary
2004160,011
2.62%
(5 Plus)
New
0 / 110
0 7thExtra-parliamentary
2008127,429
2.37%
0.25
0 / 110
0 3rdExtra-parliamentary
201298,288
1.87%
0.50
0 / 110
0 5thExtra-parliamentary
201672,185
1.40%
0.37
0 / 110
0 7thExtra-parliamentary
201937,861
0.72%
0.68
0 / 110
0 9thExtra-parliamentary

References

External links