Belarus strongman set to win a 7th term in an election the opposition calls a farce
Belarusians began voting in an election where President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to secure a seventh term unchallenged, extending his nearly 30-year authoritarian rule. As a long-time leader closely aligned with Moscow, Lukashenko's continued presidency seems assured amid a tightly controlled political environment. Since coming to power in 1994, he has maintained a strong grip on Belarus, and this election is the first since he suppressed mass protests in 2020.
The 2020 protests were sparked by accusations of election rigging, leading to a severe crackdown by authorities, with over a thousand people still imprisoned. Many of Lukashenko's political opponents are incarcerated or exiled, reflecting the lack of political competition. Additionally, Lukashenko's alignment with Russia has been evident as he allowed Belarusian territory to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This ongoing relationship with Moscow and the suppression of dissent highlight the challenges faced by opposition forces in Belarus.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Belarusians began voting in an election where President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to secure a seventh term unchallenged, extending his nearly 30-year authoritarian rule. As a long-time leader closely aligned with Moscow, Lukashenko's continued presidency seems assured amid a tightly controlled political environment. Since coming to power in 1994, he has maintained a strong grip on Belarus, and this election is the first since he suppressed mass protests in 2020.
The 2020 protests were sparked by accusations of election rigging, leading to a severe crackdown by authorities, with over a thousand people still imprisoned. Many of Lukashenko's political opponents are incarcerated or exiled, reflecting the lack of political competition. Additionally, Lukashenko's alignment with Russia has been evident as he allowed Belarusian territory to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This ongoing relationship with Moscow and the suppression of dissent highlight the challenges faced by opposition forces in Belarus.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
