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Expert skeptical about opposition's chances in coming elections

Opposition forces will hardly achieve much success in this year's local elections and the 2010 presidential vote, expert Valery Karbalevich said in an interview with BelaPAN.

He noted that the opposition could be helped by the country's economic downturn and Minsk's closer relations with the European Union, which are likely to prevent the former from stepping up pressure on opponents. "On the other hand, there's a split in the opposition now, it lacks a plan of action for the elections. Apart from this, the West's political support [for the opposition] has weakened," he said.

Mr. Karbalevich noted that society normally becomes politicized during elections. "Under such conditions the public will be listening to the opposition much more eagerly. While the authorities have opportunities to promote their views at any time, the opposition as a rule may do so only during election campaigns," the expert said.