Svetlana Tichanowskaja: Steinmeier stands behind the population in Belarus

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Tichanowskaja, Steinmeier in Bellevue Palace: The Federal President spoke to the Belarusian opposition party for an hour

Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka / dpa

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met the Belarusian opposition politician Svetlana Tichanowskaja in Berlin.

After the hour-long conversation, he stood behind the people in Belarus who were desperately fighting for their freedom.

"For months now, people in Belarus have been bravely and persistently calling for free and fair elections and an end to state violence and repression," said Steinmeier.

“They need and they deserve our attention, help and support.” Before her appointment with Steinmeier, Tichanowskaya had also met with Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU).

"For months now, the people of Belarus have been bravely and persistently calling for free and fair elections and an end to state violence and repression."

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

After massive police violence against demonstrators in Belarus, the opposition demanded that Germany lift the visa requirement.

The civil rights activist told SPIEGEL in an interview that persecuted people would have the opportunity to get to safety.

"When people are locked up and beaten up, then that is the moment when Germany and other countries should think: Are they careful or do they follow the principles of democracy?"

The 38-year-old also called for EU sanctions against the power apparatus of head of state Alexander Lukashenko to be expanded.

“The punitive measures look ridiculous when we see how many people have been arrested so far.

There have been more than 30,000 since August. «There are many words of support.

"But we need action."

Dozens of arrests following weekend protests

During protests against Lukashenko last Sunday, according to the Interior Ministry in Minsk, 271 people were put in prisons for taking part in unauthorized rallies.

Thousands of people took part, fewer than in autumn.

"Even if the protests on the street will now decrease in winter, we will survive it and come back even stronger in the spring when the weather gets better," said Tichanovskaya.

"We can win, I believe that."

Belarus has been in a serious domestic political crisis since the controversial presidential election on August 9th.

After 26 years in power, Lukashenko had himself confirmed for a sixth term with 80.1 percent of the vote.

The EU no longer recognizes him as president.

For the opposition, Tichanovskaya is the real winner.

She fled to the EU country Lithuania after the vote.

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