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Belarus's Lukashenko Wins Seventh Term with 87.6% Amid Accusations of Sham Election

Jan 26, 2025, 05:33 PM

Belarus held presidential elections on Sunday, with incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko expected to secure his seventh term in office, extending his 30-year rule over the country. Exit polls indicate that Lukashenko won with 87.6% of the vote, amid widespread criticism from opposition groups and international observers who have denounced the election as a sham lacking real opposition. Lukashenko, who referred to Belarus as a 'brutal democracy' after casting his vote, has maintained an authoritarian grip on the country since 1994, with political opponents jailed or exiled and independent media suppressed. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, 'This is a blatant affront to democracy. Lukashenko doesn’t have any legitimacy.' The European Union and other Western nations have condemned the election, citing the lack of democratic processes and the suppression of dissent.