Alexander Lukashenko Secures Seventh Term Amid International Condemnation
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, frequently enough referred to as “Europe’s last dictator,” has clinched a seventh consecutive term in office, solidifying his grip on power in a contry where dissent is met with harsh repression.The election, held yesterday, was denounced by the European Union and the exiled opposition as a ”sham” and a “farce.”
According to an official exit poll, the 70-year-old leader secured a staggering 87.6% of the vote, surpassing his 2020 result of 81%. This victory comes despite widespread criticism of the electoral process, which saw his opponents either imprisoned or exiled. The candidates who ran against him reportedly campaigned in his favor, further undermining the legitimacy of the election.
A History of Repression
Lukashenko’s victory is the latest chapter in a decades-long reign marked by authoritarian rule. As assuming power in 1994, he has orchestrated a ruthless crackdown on dissent, especially following the massive protests against his disputed 2020 re-election. Tens of thousands of Belarusians fled the country in the aftermath,seeking refuge in neighboring Poland and Lithuania.
The 2020 protests, which accused Lukashenko of rigging the vote, where met with a brutal response from the KGB, leading to the imprisonment of over 1,200 political prisoners. Many of these individuals remain in harsh conditions, often incommunicado and in isolation.
Opposition in Exile
Exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya,who has become the face of Belarus’s democratic movement,condemned the election as a “farce.” Speaking from Warsaw, where many exiled Belarusians reside, she described Lukashenko as a “criminal who has seized power.”
Tikhanovskaya’s allies in Belarus face severe repression. Imprisoned protest leader Maria Kolesnikova,who tore up her passport during a forced deportation in 2020,was recently “shown to the people” in photos released by the regime. Despite fears for her health, Lukashenko dismissed concerns, stating, “She is fine.”
International Backlash
The European Union and Nordic-Baltic nations have been vocal in their criticism of the election. Foreign ministers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden saluted “the tireless efforts of the Belarusian democratic forces led by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.”
Lukashenko, however, remains defiant. “I don’t care whether or not the bloc recognises the results,” he said during a marathon four-hour-and-25-minute news conference. He also expressed “no regrets” over allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops to enter Ukraine through Belarus in 2022,a move that has drawn international condemnation.
Life Under Lukashenko
For many Belarusians, life under Lukashenko is a reality they have known for decades. The 74-year-old pensioner Nadezhda Guzhalovskaya, who voted for Lukashenko, admitted, “maybe everything here is not perfect, we don’t have democracy.” Others,like Irina Lebedeva,praised the president for maintaining peace,echoing the government’s narrative that the 2020 protests created chaos.The United Nations estimates that around 300,000 Belarusians have left the country as 2020, a critically important number for a nation of nine million. These exiles were unable to vote, as belarus has scrapped voting abroad.
A Soviet Legacy
Lukashenko’s Belarus retains much of the Soviet Union’s traditions and infrastructure, earning him the nickname “Europe’s last dictator”—a title he embraces. If he completes his current term, which would end in 2030, he will have ruled Belarus for 36 years.In the run-up to the election, the Lukashenko governance pardoned around 200 political prisoners. However,former inmates report being under constant surveillance by security services,unable to lead normal lives.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Election Result | Lukashenko wins 87.6% of the vote, up from 81% in 2020. |
| Opposition Status | Leaders imprisoned or exiled; Tikhanovskaya calls election a “farce.” |
| International Reaction| EU and Nordic-Baltic nations condemn the election as a “sham.” |
| Political Prisoners | Over 1,200 jailed since 2020; 200 pardoned before the election. |
| Exodus | 300,000 Belarusians have fled as 2020. |
| Lukashenko’s Legacy | In power as 1994; coudl rule for 36 years if term ends in 2030. |
As Lukashenko begins his seventh term, the future of Belarus remains uncertain. While the regime continues to suppress dissent, the resilience of the opposition, both at home and abroad, suggests that the fight for democracy is far from over.
