Sun Jan 26 07:28:17 UTC 2025: ## Lukashenko Wins Seventh Term in Belarus Presidential Election Amidst International Condemnation
MINSK, BELARUS – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has secured a seventh term in office in a presidential election widely condemned as a sham by international observers. The vote, held on Sunday, saw Lukashenko run against four largely unknown candidates considered loyal to him, with no genuine opposition allowed to participate.
The 70-year-old leader, in power since 1994, has faced widespread criticism for his authoritarian rule, particularly following the brutal crackdown on mass protests in 2020 and his alignment with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The 2020 election, also deemed fraudulent by Western nations and the opposition, led to thousands of arrests and the exile of an estimated 300,000 Belarusians. This year’s election further solidified Lukashenko’s grip on power, with voting abroad disallowed, effectively disenfranchising many exiled citizens.
Despite a lack of enthusiasm and open campaigning, the Belarusian government permitted foreign press coverage, a move speculated by some analysts as an attempt to potentially improve relations with the West. This comes amidst suggestions from analysts that Lukashenko is positioning himself for the possibility of future negotiations and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
EU officials denounced the election as a “sham” and asserted Lukashenko lacks legitimacy. The election’s process and outcome were marred by the absence of genuine competition, with candidates openly expressing their support for the incumbent president. Their platforms ranged from endorsing the criminalization of LGBTQ+ activities to preventing a repeat of the 2020 protests.
The election results, though unsurprising, further solidify Lukashenko’s position as a long-standing autocrat, earning him the moniker “Europe’s last dictator”. His continued rule will likely lead to ongoing international sanctions and criticism.
First Piper 