Unfinished Business: Challenges for Belarus on Its Way to Democracy

Abstract

This article discusses Belarus' transition towards democracy and a market economy, and the difficulties it currently faces as it attempts to pursue these changes. Belarus' historically close relationship with Russia is discussed in detail, as is Russia's continual influence on Belarus's domestic and foreign policy. There are also internal challenges that hinder this transition. The EU strongly supports Belarus in this endeavour, and the authors encourage a proactive EU policy that will further facilitate the country's transition towards achieving a strong democratic tradition and a market economy model.