Lukashenko set to extend rule in Belarus amid controversial election

Sunday 26 January 2025 - 10:45

Belarus is holding presidential elections, with President Alexander Lukashenko poised to extend his 30-year rule in the absence of significant opposition. Voters began casting ballots on Sunday at 8 am local time, marking the country's first presidential election since the mass protests in 2020, which Lukashenko suppressed violently. The 70-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1994, is seeking a seventh term.

The 2020 election sparked nationwide protests, which were met with a severe crackdown, imprisoning over 1,000 people, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Many Belarusians, an estimated 300,000, fled the country, mostly to Poland and Lithuania, and will not be able to vote due to the government's cancellation of overseas voting.

Lukashenko recently told his supporters that the events of 2020 would not be repeated. He described Belarus as a "tough democracy," emphasizing that the government would not pressure or silence anyone. Despite this, the international community, including the European Union, has denounced the election as a "sham," questioning Lukashenko's legitimacy.

The election has been marked by a lack of enthusiasm, with Lukashenko himself stating that he is too occupied with running the country to campaign. Opposition groups, both domestic and international, have refrained from protests, knowing the risks of arrest. However, the Belarusian authorities have allowed foreign media coverage of the election, which some analysts interpret as a sign of Lukashenko's potential interest in improving relations with the West.

Lukashenko’s rule has earned him the nickname "Europe’s last dictator." The four candidates running against him are seen as loyal figures, all supportive of his regime and policies. They are seen as part of the election’s façade of democracy rather than genuine challengers.

In summary, Lukashenko appears set to secure another term in office, with the political climate shaped by repression, limited opposition, and international skepticism.