Sat Jan 25 10:06:04 UTC 2025: ## Belarus’s Lukashenko Secures Seventh Term in Widely Condemned Election

MINSK, Belarus – Alexander Lukashenko, widely described as Europe’s last dictator, has secured a seventh term as president of Belarus in an election dismissed as a sham by the opposition, the US, and the European Parliament. The January 26th vote, featuring five candidates, saw Lukashenko, 70, retain his grip on power after more than three decades in office.

International observers and Belarusian opposition groups have condemned the election as lacking legitimacy, pointing to the ongoing repression of dissent and a history of rigged elections. The 2020 presidential election sparked mass protests and a brutal crackdown, further solidifying Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule.

Experts attribute Lukashenko’s enduring power to an insatiable “thirst for power” and a deep-seated fear of losing control, particularly after the 2020 protests. Former officials have described him as ruthless and distrustful, detailing instances of threats and violence against those perceived as disloyal. One exiled former minister recounted Lukashenko’s direct threat to “strangle” him if he betrayed him.

Lukashenko’s political career, beginning in the Soviet era, has been marked by a blend of populism and authoritarianism. While initially popular for promises to combat corruption, he quickly consolidated power, altering the national flag, maintaining a state-controlled economy, and ultimately abolishing term limits.

While initially seeking closer ties with Russia, Lukashenko has navigated a complex relationship with Vladimir Putin, balancing cooperation with a degree of autonomy. His reliance on Russian economic support has been a key factor in his survival, yet he has also maintained a degree of independence, leveraging his position within the Union State to secure concessions. His role as a mediator between Putin and Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin during last year’s mutiny further solidified his position.

The 2020 protests, however, fundamentally altered Lukashenko’s relationship with the West. International sanctions, intended to pressure him into reform, have instead intensified his reliance on Russia, further tightening his authoritarian grip and silencing dissent. The current political climate sees over 1,300 political prisoners held in Belarus, highlighting the severity of the ongoing repression. Lukashenko’s recent actions, including granting himself lifetime immunity, solidify his determination to remain in power. The future of Belarus, under Lukashenko’s continued rule, remains firmly under an authoritarian regime.

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