Russian editor
ReutersIn history, there have been several times when each country was hit by election heat.
Belarus in January 2025 is not included in it.
Even if you drive in Minsque city, you will not see a large sign that advertises the portrait of the candidate.
There are almost no campaigns.
The gray sky and sleet in the winter of Belarus increase the overwhelming non -activity.
And inevitable.
There is no doubt about the results of the presidential election in 2025. Alexander Lukashenko, who was once called the “Europe’s last dictator” and ruled Belarus with iron fists for more than 30 years, has been declared as a winner, and will be assured that he will be in office in the seventh term.
He calls this the practice of “Belarusi democracy.” His opposition rejected the process as a “farce”.
Lukashenko himself argues that this process is not interested.
“I haven’t followed the election movement.
The workers presented him a ax for cutting a tree.
Lukashenko promised “Try it before the election,” and a grand applause occurred.
Four and a half years ago, Belarusian leaders were much more cold and welcomed by another company.
One week after the 2020 presidential election, Alexander Lukashenko visited the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. The leaked video shows that he was receiving noisa and dad from workers. They shouted, “Go over! Go!”
The official election result in 2020 (Lukashenko’s vote rate 80 %) caused anger and large -scale protests throughout the country. The Belarusi people broke into the streets and accused the leader as stealing their votes and elections.
Thousands of rebel demonstrations and critics were arrested by police crackdowns. In the end, protests were extinguished by the waves of crackdowns, and with Russia’s support, Lukashenko stuck to power.
The UK, the European Union, and the United States have refused to recognize him as a legitimate president of Belarus.
Alexander Lukashenko’s most stubborn opponents (and potential rivals) have been imprisoned or have been forced to exile.
This is why the European Parliament has passed the resolution of the EU this week to refuse the next presidential election as “Mikashi,” and pointed out that the election campaign is “in a harsh control environment that does not meet the demands of the people.” The minimum standard of democratic elections.
I remember interviewing Alexander Lukashenko on the day the presidential election was announced last October.
“Why are these elections free and democratic if there are opposition leaders outside the country?”
“Do you really know who the opposition leaders are?” Lukashenko counterattacked.
“The opposition is a group of people who should serve at least a small number of people in Japan. Where are you guys you say? Wake up!”
Alexander Lukashenko is not the only candidate. There are four others. But they look more like a spoiler than a serious challenger.
I take 4 hours by car from Minsk to meet one of them. Sergey Serankov is the leader of the Belarus Communist Party. In the town of Vitepsque, I participated in one of his election activities. In a large hall, Shirankov placed a hammer and a sickle, a party’s emblem, and spoke to a small audience.
His election slogan is rare in sparse: “It’s not a substitute for Lukashenko, with Lukashenko!”
He is a candidate for the president who supports the opposition openly.
“There is no substitute for Alexander Lukashenko as a leader in Japan,” Sirankov told me. “So we are participating in the election with the president’s team.”
Ask, “Why do you think there are no other options?”
“Because Lukashenko is the people of the people, the soil, and the confusion that is happening in Ukraine has done everything to prevent the confusion from being occurring.”
“You are fighting for power, but supports another candidate. It’s … it’s abnormal.”
“I’m convinced that Alexander Lukashenko will win, but even if he won and I won, the communist would be the winner,” says Sirankov.
“The major communist in Japan is the head of the state. Lukashenko still has an old membership card from the Soviet Union.”
Belarusi’s right wing liberal Democratic Party leader Oreg Guide Bitch is also on the ballot. He is not running to win either.
“If there is a person who dares to know the result of the election, he is a liar,” said Guide Bitch.
“It’s clear that Lukashenko will win. Lukashenko has a great approval rating …. We intend to strengthen our position and fight to prepare for the next election.”
People who criticize Lukashenko deny that his popularity is “enormous.” But there is no doubt that he has gained his support.
There is a small town called Okuchaburiskaya at the end of Vitepsque. When I talk to the people there, I feel concern that the change of the leader may cause instability.
“I want a stable salary and stability in this country,” says Sergey, the welding. “Other candidates may not keep their promises. I want to keep their promises.”
“I’m very nervous about today’s situation,” says Zenida. “Maybe there may be other people who deserve power, but it will take a long time for young leaders to step under the desk and build important connections with other countries and their own people. 。
“God, please prohibit us from becoming Ukraine.”
Today’s Belarus has fear of instability, fear of unknown, and fear of the government. Everything works on Alexander Lukashenko.
