Reakce na příspěvek uživatele Ronnienum ze dne 14.05.2020 09:18
In the main residence of the President of Belarus, which is situated on Karl Marx St. in the city of Minsk, there is a fifth floor that is a “presidential” one. The President had set aside for himself a whole floor to work on. Except for the presidential cabinet, all the other rooms on that floor are empty, although they are beautifully furnished and, for many years, the administrative workers are perfectly cleaning up those empty rooms. This is a matter of principle for Lukashenko, because he thinks that nobody should work on the same highest floor (or level) as the President. There is only one exception to that rule and for only one man in the country. For many years, Vladimir Makei, who was formerly Lukashenko’s top aide and now is the chief of the Administration of the President, is working on the same floor with the President. That is because, according to the words of those who are close to the President, Makei is a good psychologist who learned how to pretend that he understands and supports Lukashenko as nobody other, and only Natalia Petkevich was able to compete with Makei in the ability to communicate with the President of Belarus. However, the new favorite was able to beat even her. The present Chief of the Administration of the President is perfectly feeling the mood of his boss, and would never make a suggestion or an advice that would not guarantee a positive decision by Lukashenko. The Chief of Administration of the President has big plans for his future political career, and working on the 5-th floor is tempting Makei to take the presidency himself. However, Makei is able to overpower Lukashenko, although obviously not in an election, but in a power play. For example, by winning the loyalty of the Siloviks (security and armed forces), with whom Makei, a colonel who retired after being in service for 12 years, can find a common language. Vladimir Makei, lacking the possibility to fight for power legitimately, by the means of an election, will have to make intrigues and schemes should he ever want presidency. He actively tries to use the current situation for his own advantage and manipulate it by warming up his relations with the EU and the US, and by gradually “cutting off” the President of Belarus from his old friends and partners abroad. It’s obvious that Makei is unable to act alone, without support from Belarussian authorities and external Western players. Vladimir Makei is faceless – it’s his profession. Professional intelligence officers sometimes get training exercises to develop or even simulate an arrest of their friends or relatives. Alexander Lukashenko is very afraid but possibly oblivious to the fact that someday after his usual report Vladimir Makei will say with a poker face “You’re under arrest, Mr. Lukashenko!”