In Belarus, polls have opened for parliamentary elections that are heavily controlled by the regime of longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko. With all genuine opposition parties barred from participation and only regime-loyal parties allowed on the ballot, the elections have been criticized as undemocratic. Lukashenko, who has ruled for nearly 30 years, also announced his intention to run for president again in 2025. This election period sees Belarus further tightening its relationship with Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while the crackdown on dissent within the country continues.
- Belarus is holding parliamentary elections with only regime-loyal parties allowed to participate.
- Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s long-standing leader, has ruled for nearly 30 years and announced his intention to run for president again in 2025.
- All genuine opposition parties have been denied registration, and an opposition leader in exile has called for a boycott of the election.
- The relationship between Belarus and Russia has grown closer, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
- Lukashenko accuses the West of attempting to seize power in Belarus and portrays the country as being under siege.
- The country has seen a severe crackdown on dissent, with many political prisoners and restrictions on protest and free expression.
- Elections in Belarus are viewed as a ritual, with the last presidential election in 2020 leading to widespread protests and a brutal crackdown.
- There are no independent candidates in the current elections, and international observers have not been invited.
- Belarusian citizens abroad are, for the first time, not allowed to cast their votes in embassies.
- The opposition inside Belarus is effectively non-existent, with many activists either imprisoned or forced to leave the country.
- Belarus is described as a consolidated autocracy, with the current political system heavily controlled by Lukashenko.
- Estimates of Lukashenko’s support range from 20 to 30%, but the accuracy of these figures is questionable.
- The future of Belarus is seen as critically dependent on developments in Ukraine, Russia, the European Union, and the United States.
- A democratic future for Belarus is considered difficult as long as the regime remains economically and politically dependent on Russia.
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