The congress of the Belarusian Christian Democracy (BChD) party is scheduled for 24 October in Białystok, Poland.
As former party co-chair Pavel Seviarynets said at an online press conference on 20 October, the purpose of the forum is unification and the election of new leadership through a “fully democratic procedure”.
The congress organisers expect more than 100 BChD delegates, representatives of other political movements, clergy from three Christian denominations in Belarus, and foreign guests to take part.
“These very days mark the 100th anniversary of our party. It emerged as a political organisation earlier, but it was in October 1926 in Vilnius that it acquired the name Belarusian Christian Democracy, and that is why we count our history from that time,” Pavel Seviarynets said.
According to the opposition politician, the main purpose of the forthcoming congress is to create conditions for reuniting the parts of BChD that went their separate ways in exile but retained their ideological unity and intention to act together.
“Last year, when I was released from prison, I saw that the party was divided. Since then, I have been proposing that we unite again. Recently, we have held meetings and consultations almost every week, and most of us have agreed on holding a congress and electing the leadership.
The elections will take place in a democratic atmosphere, by secret ballot. I believe it is time for Belarusians to return to democratic electoral norms,” Pavel Seviarynets said.
According to Pavel Seviarynets, prominent Christian Democrats Heorhi Dzmitruk, Anatol Mikhnavec, Taisiya Kabanchuk, Valer Matskevich, Siarhej Verameyenka and Ales Adamkovich will take part in the BChD congress.
“If they wish, they will be able to stand for election to the party’s governing bodies and seek the leadership,” Seviarynets believes.
He also did not rule out the participation of former BChD co-chair Vital Rymasheuski in the congress.
“He has been invited. For now, it seems, he is creating something of his own, but we are ready to work together,” Pavel Seviarynets said.
The politician explained the choice of Białystok as the congress venue by saying that “it is the centre of the Belarusian minority in Podlasie”. Seviarynets also referred to the contemporary European tradition of “holding party congresses in regional centres and even small towns”.
According to Seviarynets, Belarusians not only from various European countries but also from Belarus itself will take part in the BChD congress, making the safety of delegates a particularly pressing issue.
“For security reasons, we cannot provide a live broadcast of the congress, but journalists will be able to speak to and film those who do not object. We urge congress participants to weigh the risks, because it will be impossible to avoid publicity entirely,” Pavel Seviarynets said.
The congress is expected to present BChD’s strategy for the next three years. Politicians Pavel Latushka, Franak Viačorka, Dzianis Kuchynski, Yauhen Vapa, Pavel Usau and others will also speak.
According to Pavel Seviarynets, the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which has consistently supported Belarusian Christian Democracy, is helping to organise the congress.
