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https://theconversation.com/what-another-lukashenko-victory-will-mean-for-europes-security-and-that-of-belarus-citizenry-247882>
"Europe’s longest-serving authoritarian leader, Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko,
is set to run for a seventh term on Jan. 26, 2025. And even before the first
vote is counted, it can be stated with a fair degree of confidence that he will
prevail.
With no genuine opposition and a history of vote rigging, Lukashenko – in power
since 1994 – has further slanted things in his favor this time around by
banning overseas voting, removing the minimum turnout threshold and awarding
himself lifelong immunity and a permanent seat in parliament.
But while the 2025 election is unlikely to bring change, it is, nonetheless,
consequential.
Belarus under Lukashenko has become embroiled in the battle between NATO-backed
Western Europe and Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Meanwhile, Belarus’ record on human
rights – and its complicity in Russia’s war in Ukraine – have led to extensive
sanctions and diplomatic isolation of the Eastern European nation, worsening
the life of its people.
As a scholar on Eastern Europe, I believe the continued rule of Lukashenko,
emboldened by a seventh consecutive “victory,” will have grave implications for
regional and global politics, as well as the trajectory of the country itself."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
