On January 26, 2025, presidential elections were held in Belarus, the results of which caused outrage in the international community. According to official data, the incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko received 86.82% of the votes, securing his seventh term in office. The closest opponent, Sergei Siranovich, received only 3.21% of the votes.
International Community Reaction
The European Union and the United States condemned the elections, calling them undemocratic and falsified. They emphasized the absence of a real opposition and the suppression of dissent in the country. The EU declared that it does not recognize the election results and will continue to support democratic forces in Belarus.
Absence of Opposition and Repression
Prior to the elections, the Belarusian authorities ensured the absence of real competition by eliminating opposition candidates through arrests, forced emigration, or banning them from participating in the elections. This led to a situation where there was no candidate in the elections who could pose a real challenge to Lukashenko.
Lukashenko’s Position
Alexander Lukashenko rejected criticism from the West, stating that he is “absolutely indifferent” to whether the European Union recognizes the elections. He emphasized that the only recognition that matters to him is that of the Belarusian people.
Russia’s Support and Geopolitical Context
Lukashenko remains a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Belarus allows its territory to be used for Russian military operations, including the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This further complicates relations between Belarus and Western countries, which have imposed sanctions against the Belarusian regime.
The recent elections in Belarus confirmed the preservation of Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian regime. The international community continues to condemn the actions of the Belarusian government and calls for free and fair elections, as well as the release of political prisoners.
