Andrus (Andrey) Krechka, a fouth-year part-time student at Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, was elected chairman of the youth wing of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) at the organization’s fourth convention held at the BPF head office in Minsk on Saturday.
Out of the 64 delegates present at the meeting, 35 voted to elect the 22-year-old Krechka, whereas his opponent, Alyaksandra Klimovich, received 28 votes. One delegate voted against both candidates.
"I’m determined to implement everything that is stated in my election platform," Mr. Krechka said after thanking the delegates for his election. "I intend to step up activities in the provinces and start active work in the run-up to the forthcoming presidential election. It is necessary to give more attention to day-to-day work, that is, door-to-door canvassing, the distribution of flyers and other printed stuff, and so on…. It is also necessary to display our solidarity with all political prisoners, all political draftees and people who have been expelled from universities for political reasons. We should provide support to them."
BPF leader Alyaksey Yanukevich said in his salutatory address that the youth wing should prioritize the promotion of the party’s values and ideals among young people and students. "But this does not mean that other activities should be reduced," he noted.
The previous chairman of the BPF youth wing, Franak Vyachorka, who currently does compulsory military service, suggested in his letter to the convention that the organization should return to usual activities, which he said include passing out flyers and canvassing households to promote democratic ideals, and abandon "street performances."
Mr. Vyachorka noted that on completion of his period in the army in late July 2010, he would stand for reelection as chairman of the BPF youth wing.
