Lukashenko wins fifth term, receives 87.6% in disputed election

In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko has reportedly won a 'sham' presidential election with 87.6% of the vote, marking his seventh term in office amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. The election featured four opposition candidates, all of whom are seen as loyal to Lukashenko, reflecting a lack of genuine democratic choice. Critics, including EU officials, have condemned the election as illegitimate, citing a repressive political environment where independent media is banned and opposition figures are imprisoned or exiled. Despite the official turnout of 81.5%, many citizens express fear of openly opposing Lukashenko due to the regime's history of brutal crackdowns on dissent. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that the fight for freedom continues, as protests against the election were held in Warsaw. Lukashenko's government remains unrecognized by the U.S. and EU, who denounce the election results as fraudulent.