Lukashenka fighting with 'Pole's Card' for 14 years and losing

Lukashenka struggles more effectively with harvest than with the 'Card of a Pole' / collage by Ulad Rubanau, Euroradio
Lukashenka struggles more effectively with harvest than with the 'Card of a Pole' / collage by Ulad Rubanau, Euroradio

"It is also necessary to discuss the requirements for our compatriots who have received the 'Card of a Pole' and other similar documents," Aliaksandr Lukashenka tasked officials at a meeting on September 6, where they discussed stripping some of them of citizenship.

"Card of a Pole" is a document confirming the Polish origin of a person and giving them some non-citizen rights in Poland. It appeared at the end of 2007. The leaders in obtaining the "card" are Belarusians: according to the Polish side, the document was issued to more than 130 thousand citizens of the country.

Lukashenka and his power vertical have struggled with the "Pole's Card" since it appeared. However, his fight has not been particularly successful.  

The first stage of the war: threaten and forget

In February 2008, Lukashenka came to the newly-opened building of the BSU Journalism Department. Speaking to students, he touched on the "Pole's card," calling it "an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of Belarus by playing the national card".

To follow important news, subscribe to the Euroradio channel on Telegram.

Every day we publish videos about life in Belarus on our YouTube channel. You can subscribe here.