What is the Coordination Council and why do Belarusians need it (and do they need it at all?)

The elections of the Coordination Council of the IV convocation are scheduled for May 11-17, 2026. There are more questions on them than answers. What is CS? Why do we need this body? Where did it come from? Doberman.media I decided to look into this question and try to give simple answers. 

What is the Coordination Council?

In 2026, it is very difficult for a Belarusian who is not involved in the emigrant agenda to answer this question. The Coordination Council appeared in August 2020 as a body that could manage protests and carry out the transition of power in the event of a change of power. It was a representative body within the country, which had really bright leaders.

At that time, Pavel Latushko, Maria Kalesnikava, Volha Kavalkova, Maksim Znak, Sviatlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Siarhei Dyleuski joined the presidium of the council. A little later, Latushko, Dyleuski and Kavalkova would be in exile, and Kalesnikava and Znak would be imprisoned. 

In 2020, the Coordination Council had its own Status, according to which the Coordination Council is "the single representative body of Belarusian society". 

The goals of the CC in 2020 were also clear and accessible. This is the cessation of the persecution of Belarusians by the authorities, the release of all political prisoners and the holding of new elections in accordance with international standards. 

After that, the Constitutional Court had its first composition of 35 members, a little later expanded, consisting of 100 people. Almost immediately, a criminal case was opened against the activities of the Coordination Council under the article on calls for actions aimed at causing harm to the national security of Belarus (Article 361 of the Criminal Code). Latushko received 18 years in prison in absentia, Dyleuski and Kavalkova 12 years in prison. Kolesnikova and Znak were sentenced to 11 and 10 years, respectively. 

In 2023, the Coordination Council was recognized "extremist formation". In 2024, the Investigative Committee started a criminal case against 257 participants in the elections to the Coordination Council. They were accused of four criminal articles, including conspiracy to seize state power.

This was all in 2020.

This question is even more difficult to answer. The Constitutional Court reached an impasse, in 2022 the body launched a reform, after which it became even more unclear who is included in it, what it does and why the council is needed at all. Yes, the composition of the Constitutional Court expanded, it included media people, but it did not become clearer. 

In fact, the Constitutional Court is a platform where representatives of various public, human rights, political and youth organizations are represented. All to establish a democratic form of government in Belarus.

The Coordination Council is also called a proto-parliament, where different views and visions on the current and future situation in Belarus are widely represented. 

The reform of the Constitutional Court has dragged on in time. Having started at the New Belarus conference in August 2022, as of January 2023, it was 80% ready. 

"We have passed 80% of the reform path. We already have selected candidates. To date, fifty public initiatives and organizations have already received responses, a letter with a positive result. Of course, there were a number of consultations before that. There were different processes regarding the nomination of candidates," — told member of the representative working group on the reform of the Coordination Council Valery Matskevich.

And how will they go?

174 people from 9 lists apply for 80 mandates. Voting should take place online. Citizens of Belarus who have reached the age of 18 on the day of the start of voting will be able to take part. One person can cast one vote for one list. Voters will be verified through a passport of a citizen of Belarus (including an expired one) or through the "passport of New Belarus".

Is it necessary at all?

The most important question, to which there is no unambiguous answer. It depends on how you look at the Coordination Council. If it is seriously considered as a proto-parliament, then many questions and criticism arise. The first thing I want to say is: where have you been all these years? For four years, Belarusians in Belarus (and not only) have forgotten what the Constitutional Court is, why it was created and how it works (and does it work?).

Secondly, many of the topics that the Constitutional Court is now raising were relevant two or three years ago, when the body was busy with reforms and conferences. Now it looks like waking up after a long hibernation. The issue of open borders, well-thought-out sanctions - all these issues were in the air long before 2026.

If we consider the Constitutional Court as a body for Belarusians in Belarus, then how can they be interested in statements at all Knyrovicha About "not feeling sorry for people at the border"? Unfortunately, the Constitutional Court comes to the surface only with scandals and ridiculous statements by their speakers. Looking at all this, you don't understand at all who it is for and why? 

If you look at the Constitutional Court as a body that consolidates Belarusians in exile and represents their interests, then you can find at least some logic here. Another body that could become the voice of Belarusians abroad is always a plus. Another thing is where is the confidence that after the elections the Constitutional Court will not plunge into "sawing" portfolios and trampling on one one? Belarusians love to quarrel and share. We already have two associations of former security officials, two (at least) opposition leaders, and it is possible that we may see two Coordination Councils. 

All these questions are not a pounce on a fan, but raising the problem of communication with voters and the target audience. The importance of the CS is not visible, not obvious, and therefore the body threatens to become a structure for the sake of structure. This is how the history of the Belarusian political emigration usually loops.