Election was the target of criticism from the West, with the leader of the European Union describing it as shameful
It was reelected in a widely contested vote, which obtained 87.6% of the votes. He has been in power for 31 years and, since the 2020 election, about 65,000 people have been detained. The Electoral Commission announced that more than 80% of the population participated in the electoral process, which had four candidates without significant expression. The election was the subject of criticism from the West, with the leader of the European Union describing her as shameful. Since assuming the presidency in 1994, Lukachenko has had a stance of some autonomy from Kremlin. However, this dynamic changed after the 2020 protests when he approached Vladimir Putin. The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 solidified this alliance, with becoming a strategic point for Russian operations, serving as a basis for troops.
The relationship between Belarus and Russia intensified, reflecting a stronger political and military alignment. Lukachenko, at age 70, shows no intention of moving away from power and said he has no succession plans. In his statements, he emphasized: “I do not intend to die anytime soon,” indicating his willingness to continue ruling. The political situation in Belarus remains tense, with the repression of opponents and the lack of freedom of expression being central issues.
Posted by Sarah Paula
*Report produced with the aid of AI
