Information
Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya dismissed the recent presidential election in Belarus as fraudulent, following the declaration of Alexander Lukashenko as the winner. Western observers echoed her sentiments, stating that the vote was neither free nor fair, with independent media banned and opposition figures either imprisoned or exiled. Tsikhanouskaya, who many in the West regard as the true winner of the 2020 election, expressed gratitude to demonstrators who opposed Lukashenko during the polling. She emphasized the ongoing fight for freedom, democracy, and a European future for Belarus. Tsikhanouskaya’s husband, activist Siarhei Tsikhanouski, remains imprisoned after attempting to run for office in 2020, while she continues her efforts from Lithuania.
Western reactions to the election were swift and critical. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lamented the lack of choice for the Belarusian people, calling it a bitter day for those longing for freedom and democracy. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski mocked the election results, questioning the legitimacy of Lukashenko’s claimed 86.8% victory. Despite widespread condemnation, Lukashenko received congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, highlighting his continued support from key allies. Even Polymarket had the odds of Lukashenko winning at 99.9%, indicating that not many people, if any, were willing to bet against the election.
Source: Reuters, AFP, Polymarket
So what
It is unlikely that anyone believes this was a free and fair election, especially given the events that followed the 2020 election. Nevertheless, it seems that Lukashenko and his supporters are indifferent to the opinions of the international community. The country will probably continue to depend on Russia and China for support, hoping that the Russian economy remains stable. However, this is not guaranteed, and if the Russian economy were to collapse, Belarus would likely face significant consequences as well.
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