Belarus, Russia's closest ally, is scheduled to organize the next presidential election. The vote was scheduled for January 26, 2025, and it was expected to be approved by the Belarusian State Duma. Alexander Lukashenko confirmed on Wednesday that he will take part in the race.
Elections in Belarus. Lukashenko fights for re-election
“I will run again,” Lukashenko declared Wednesday in a conversation with journalist Olga Skaviyeva, who shared the news on her social media profiles.
“Mr Lukashenko has decided to run for a new term,” she wrote on Telegram.
The last time Belarusians went to the polls was in 2020, when they were planning to vote again for Alexander Lukashenko. However, international opinion justified doubts about the fairness of the election, and numerous demonstrations occurred. These were the largest mass protests in Belarus' history.
Belarus. Presidential election. Lukashenko's rival leaves the country
Thousands of Belarusians were arrested during the demonstrations, and some fled the country permanently, fearing repression.
These elections were held under the full control of the state government and the ministries of power. However, independent observers had limited access to election commissions.
Lukashenko's main opponent four years ago was opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya. Despite the fact that she was likely the one who collected the most accurately cast votes and is close to being certain, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya had to flee the country, specifically to Lithuania, where she remains today. .
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According to official results, Lukashenko won 80% of the votes in 2020. Only 10% voted for Tsikhanouskaya. Belarusian citizen.
The results of the 2020 vote were not recognized by Western countries and sanctions were imposed on the government in Minsk. Belarus is subject to additional restrictions for supporting Russia's armed invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus. Sergei Tsikhanosky arrested
Critics of Lukashenko, who is likely to return to power in the country, have long accused him of ruling the country in an authoritarian manner, violating human rights and imprisoning political opponents.
Just before the last elections, Lukashenko gradually eliminated all of his most serious opponents, including: Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya's husband, Serhii Tikhanovskiy, arrested him on trumped-up charges and sentenced him to 18 years in a labor camp.
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Those who opposed such methods were harassed, threatened, and sometimes jailed. Candidates who were allowed to run in the elections virtually did not appear in public media, clearly favoring Lukashenko. State television even accused independent candidates of colluding with foreign countries.
In subsequent interviews with Polish media, Tsikhanouskaya revealed that Russian troops were ready to enter Belarus in August 2020 to protect Lukashenko.
– Some people criticize us for not putting pressure on the regime and not resisting with force. But we must understand that Belarusians are not ready for violent clashes, the protests were peaceful and we did everything we could. The people who took to the streets of the cities were not revolutionaries or organized activists. Nor was it considering a scenario in which the government would overthrow a dictatorial regime by force. No one was trying to organize it, she said.
Elections in Belarus. Chairman of the Central Election Commission: “They will strengthen democracy in this country''
The state-run Belta agency quotes Central Election Commission Chairman Igor Karpenko as saying that around 60,000 people will take part in the commission's activities during the presidential campaign. people.
– As a rule, these are people who have practiced voting for a day. In addition, many people improved their skills and attended training and seminars based on management academies and regional educational development institutions, Karpenko said.
According to the head of the Central Election Commission, minimizing the period between a single voting day and the presidential campaign will make the most rational use of these human resources.
He believes January's presidential election “will further strengthen our country's democracy.”
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