Alexander Lukashenko, Europe’s longest-serving leader, has secured his 31-year rule in Belarus by winning the presidential election, a result that has been widely criticized as a sham by his exiled opponents and Western countries. Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, faced minimal opposition in this election, with one candidate openly admitting to running 'alongside' him rather than against him. Official results revealed that Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 86.8% of the vote.
This victory marks Lukashenko's seventh term in office and solidifies his control over Belarus, a key ally of Russia. Lukashenko's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin have strengthened in recent years, particularly after facing significant opposition in the 2020 election from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was later forced into exile following mass protests against Lukashenko's regime.
The 2020 election, which was marred by allegations of fraud, led to widespread protests and a brutal crackdown by the Belarusian government, resulting in the imprisonment of thousands of protesters. Despite the international condemnation of the recent election, Lukashenko remains defiant, asserting that Belarus is a democracy because his rivals were given a choice, even if some ended up in prison or exile.
While the European Union and other Western nations have decried the election as undemocratic, both the Kremlin and China have congratulated Lukashenko on his victory. Experts suggest that Lukashenko, now 70 years old, shows no signs of stepping down voluntarily, highlighting the challenges of autocratic regimes in relinquishing power.
As Lukashenko begins his seventh term, the future of Belarus remains uncertain, with opposition movements labeling the election as a 'charade' designed to perpetuate the dictator's rule. Despite mounting criticism, Lukashenko appears resolute in maintaining his grip on power, dismissing concerns from the West and signaling his intent to continue ruling Belarus for the foreseeable future.
