Opposition Holds Minsk Rock Concert

The Minsk rock concert on March 18 (RFE/RL) MINSK, March 18, 2006 -- Thousands of Belarusian youths and opposition supporters attended a rock concert in Minsk today, a few hours ahead of the March 19 presidential election, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported.

RFE/RL reports some 4,000 people gathered on Bangalyor Square to hear Krama, NRM., IQ-48, and other Belarusian rock groups.


The bands played under a banner reading "I Am For Freedom."


Opposition leader and presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich addressed the crowd.


No incidents were reported, and the concert had been authorized in advance by the authorities.


But the head of the Belarusian Central Election Commission, Lidya Yermoshina, today cautioned Milinkevich against staging unsanctioned rallies on election day, saying that doing so could have "unpredictable consequences."


The opposition accuses incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of seeking to remain in power through election fraud and has vowed to defy the ban on protest demonstrations.


(with material from charter97.org, Belta)

Hear The Music

Hear The Music

Lavon Volski of NRM speaking to listeners of RFE/RL's Belarusian Service on February 15, 2006 (RFE/RL)

A DREAM REPUBLIC: RFE/RL is pleased to present short excerpts from some of the songs that are playing a role in the presidential-election campaign.

An excerpt from IQ-48's "Vyjscie":
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Another excerpt from "Vyjscie":
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A third excerpt from "Vyjscie":
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An excerpt from NRM's "Partyzanskaja":
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A second excerpt from "Partyzanskaja":
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An excerpt from Neuro Dubel's "Tanki":
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Another excerpt from "Tanki":
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Click on the image to view a dedicated page with news, analysis, and background information about the Belarusian presidential ballot.

MEET THE CANDIDATES: Read brief biographies of the four candidates in the March 19 election.


Click on the image to view RFE/RL's coverage of the election campaign in Belarusian and to listen to RFE/RL's Belarusian Service.