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Belarusians cast their ballots on Sunday for President Alexander Lukashenko, who is projected to win an unchallenged seventh term. The former leader, now under the wing of Moscow, has been in power since 1994 and faces little opposition as international actors and domestic critics prepare to criticize his rule.
The vote marked Minsk’s first presidential election since Lukashenko suppressed mass protests in 2020, allowing him to continue his authoritarian regime. Despite efforts by the opposition and Western allies to claim victory for a different candidate, Lukashenko has declared victory himself, promising to “never repeat” the turmoil of 2020.
Opposition figures, including exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, have called the election a farce. Tsikhanouskaya’s husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, has been held incommunicado since 2021 for nearly a year. The UN reports that over 300,000 Belarusians have fled the country since 2020, many fleeing to Poland and Lithuania amid concerns about war with Ukraine.
Lukashenko’s rhetoric emphasizes stability and order, accusing opponents of sowing chaos in 2020. However, voters like Alexei in Gubichi express cautious optimism, noting improvements since his arrival in 1994 but fearing the economic impact of ongoing tensions.
International actors, including EU foreign ministers, have expressed concern over Lukashenko’s handling of the crisis and his authoritarian tendencies. The election underscores the challenges of maintaining stability in Belarus under his rule, as critics continue to voice their concerns about democracy and freedom.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/26/polls-open-in-belarus-with-lukashenkos-30-year-rule-set-to-be-extended