If 80% of citizens really voted for you, then after the results are announced you would hardly need water cannons and stun grenades. More likely, flags and fireworks. ⠀ If you truly have the people’s clear support, then there is no need to turn your country into a world leader in the number of OMON riot police officers per capita. ⠀ If you are not afraid of losing an election, then you have no problem with observers being present at polling stations. ⠀ If you love your fellow citizens, then there is absolutely no need to beat them in residential courtyards while saying, "So, you wanted change? Here’s your change!" ⠀ If you are leading the country toward prosperity, then it would never even occur to you to jail the sound technicians of a children’s arts center for 10 days because they played a song by Viktor Tsoi. ⠀ If you are truly "loved by ordinary people," then workers at a steel plant would not go on strike after hearing the news of your election victory. ⠀ I look at how the election in Belarus was conducted and what happened afterward. I see the results from the polling stations where there was no fraud. I see the authorities’ panic and their readiness to shoot at unarmed people in order to hide that fear. And I understand: ⠀ Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya clearly won in the first round. ⠀ Alexander Lukashenko was in power for 26 years, and his time is over. He can no longer call himself the leader of the people of Belarus. ⠀ His power is based on intimidation. It is this constant: "Go out into the streets and I’ll crush you! I’ll make you obey no matter what!" ⠀ To keep saying this endlessly with a threatening expression, while trembling inside: what if they do not believe it and are not afraid? What if everyone realizes that not even 40,000 police officers can subdue a country of 10 million? ⠀ There is still time to show good sense and think about people, not about yourself. Announce a new election. Hold it fairly. Step down with guarantees of safety. But that is only if you are thinking about people.. ⠀ In any case, this genie is never going back into the bottle. Through rallies, strikes, and civil disobedience, it will continue to make itself felt. ⠀ Belarusians, you are our brotherly people. We are proud of you. We are rooting for you and wish you victory, freedom, and a good life. Your struggle is inspiring. ⠀ Together with you, we hope for the best. Long live Belarus!