nBelarus President Alexander Lukashenko has secured his seventh term in office,with official results showing he won over 86% of the vote. The election, which has been widely criticized by the West, saw the 70-year-old autocrat extend his three-decade rule. [[1]]
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were swift to congratulate Lukashenko. Putin praised the “convincing victory,” stating it demonstrated “the undoubted support of the population for the state policy Belarus is pursuing.” [[1]] Xi jinping also sent a message of congratulations, reflecting the growing ties between Beijing and Minsk as Belarus seeks foreign investment amid Western sanctions. [[2]]
Though, the election has been condemned by the European Union and Belarusian opposition. Exiled opposition leader Svetlana tikhanovskaya called the vote a “farce,” while the EU labeled it a ”sham.” [[3]] Lukashenko,a staunch ally of Putin,has maintained his grip on power through a ruthless crackdown on dissent,especially since the 2020 protests that followed his last election victory. [[1]]
The 2020 protests saw tens of thousands of Belarusians flee the country, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Poland and Lithuania. Lukashenko dismissed his opponents,stating,”Some chose prison,some exile,” and added,”If it is prison then it’s those who opened their mouths too widely.” [[3]]
Rights groups report that Belarus has jailed over 1,200 political prisoners, with around 300 released in pre-election pardons. However, former inmates claim they remain under close surveillance by security services. [[2]]
Lukashenko’s rule has been marked by the suppression of dissent and the retention of Soviet-era traditions. If he completes his current term,which ends in 2030,he will have been in power for 36 years. [[1]]
| Key Points | Details |
|————|———|
| Election Result | Lukashenko won over 86% of the vote |
| International Reaction | Putin and Xi Jinping congratulated Lukashenko; EU and opposition condemned the election |
| Political Prisoners | Over 1,200 jailed; 300 released in pre-election pardons |
| Exile | Tens of thousands fled Belarus since 2020 protests |
| Rule Duration | Lukashenko has ruled for 30 years; could extend to 36 by 2030 |
The election has further solidified Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule, with little sign of change on the horizon. As Tikhanovskaya noted, “It is not the moment” for dissidents to challenge his regime. [[3]]
