Lukashenko Wins Seventh Term in Controversial Belarus Election

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has secured a seventh term in office, with exit polls indicating he received 87.6% of the vote, amid widespread allegations of election rigging. This election, the first since the controversial 2020 vote that led to mass protests and a crackdown on dissent, was marked by the absence of significant opposition, as prominent figures are either imprisoned or exiled. Critics, including opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, have condemned the election as a 'farce' designed to maintain Lukashenko's autocratic grip on power. The European Union has labeled the election undemocratic and plans to impose further sanctions on Lukashenko's regime. Despite his claims of a 'tough democracy,' the atmosphere in Belarus remains one of fear, with the public largely silent due to the threat of arrest. Lukashenko's close ties with Russia continue to influence Belarus's political landscape, further consolidating his power through support from Moscow.