Elections in Belarus have often drawn criticism from the international community, with accusations of fraud and suppression of opposition voices.
Over the years, the country’s leadership has remained unchanged, with President Alexander Lukashenko securing repeated victories since Belarus gained independence.
As political tensions persist, questions remain about the legitimacy of electoral processes in the country.
Belarus held its first presidential election under a modified constitution that allows Alexander Lukashenko to remain in power until at least 2035.
Refused to Recognize Election
As expected, the longtime leader secured another term, with official results giving him nearly 87 percent of the vote.
State media reported a voter turnout of 85.7 percent, making this his strongest electoral performance to date. The closest competitor, the head of the Communist Party, received just over 3 percent.
The European Union refused to recognize the election, just as it had in 2020, when protests erupted following allegations of fraud, according to Ziare.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the election, calling it neither free nor fair. In a statement, Kallas criticized Lukashenko’s prolonged rule, describing the election as a sham.
Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, also ridiculed the official results, questioning how those who did not vote for Lukashenko would be treated.
Lukashenko dismissed Western criticism, stating that he had no interest in the opinions of European leaders.
For many Western nations, his presidency lost legitimacy in 2020 after contested elections against opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
The large-scale protests that followed were met with force, with Russia backing Lukashenko’s efforts to maintain control.
According to official figures, the president has consistently won elections by large margins. In previous elections, his results ranged from 77 to 84 percent of the vote, making this his most decisive victory yet.
In comparison, Russian President Vladimir Putin won his 2024 re-election with 88.48 percent of the vote.
Lukashenko’s continued grip on power raises concerns about Belarus’s political future. With the opposition largely suppressed and relations with Western countries strained, the country remains closely aligned with Russia.
