Belarus Schedules Next Presidential Election Amid Political Turmoil
Belarus will hold its next presidential election on January 26, 2025. Alexander Lukashenko, the long-standing ruler, is expected to seek re-election amid an oppressive political climate that has limited democratic processes. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has condemned the election’s legitimacy, labeling it a farce. Lukashenko recently enacted a law ensuring him long-term immunity upon stepping down, further entrenching his hold on power.
Belarus has officially scheduled its next presidential election for January 26, 2025, according to an announcement made by the Central Electoral Commission on Wednesday. Alexander Lukashenko, who has maintained an authoritarian grip on Belarus since 1994 and is known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has signaled his intent to seek re-election, and he is widely regarded as unlikely to face defeat in the upcoming electoral process. In parliamentary elections earlier this year, all candidates on the ballot supported Lukashenko’s regime, particularly in the aftermath of the disputed 2020 presidential elections, which provoked widespread condemnation from Europe and the West due to allegations of significant electoral fraud. The controversial 2020 elections sparked public outrage and mass protests aimed at removing Lukashenko from power; however, these movements were suppressed aggressively with assistance from the Russian government. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a prominent opposition figure who sought to challenge Lukashenko in 2020 after her husband was jailed for his political activities, currently represents the pro-democracy movement from exile. On this subject, Tsikhanouskaya remarked on the upcoming election date, calling it “a sham with no real electoral process, conducted in an atmosphere of terror. No alternative candidates or observers will be allowed. We call on Belarusians and the international community to reject this farce.” Moreover, it is noteworthy that in January, Lukashenko enacted legislation that guarantees him lifelong immunity and protection, along with state-provided benefits, upon his departure from the presidency.
The upcoming presidential election in Belarus is emblematic of the continued political repression that has characterized Lukashenko’s regime since he took office nearly three decades ago. The atmosphere in Belarus remains tense following the 2020 election, which not only faced widespread allegations of fraud but also ignited one of the largest uprisings in the country’s recent history. Despite this, the incumbent has demonstrated a remarkable ability to cling to power, bolstered by support from Russia, notably exemplified through enhanced political, economic, and military cooperation. The situation of political prisoners and the exile of opposition leaders, such as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, highlights the broader struggle for democracy and human rights within Belarus amidst a backdrop of state-sanctioned violence and oppression.
The announcement of the January 26, 2025, presidential election has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process in Belarus. With Alexander Lukashenko’s history of political suppression and the absence of legitimate opposition, this election appears set to merely reinforce his regime. The words of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya resonate strongly, as they call upon both the citizenry of Belarus and the international community to denounce what is anticipated to be a manipulated electoral event devoid of democratic principles.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
