Neither the EU, the U.K. nor the U.S. recognize Lukashenko’s government as legitimate. Fraudulent presidential elections in 2020 ignited mass protests that almost led to Lukashenko’s downfall prior to a brutal crackdown to suppress protesters and opponents, backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Lukashenko has clung to power for 30 years. Tomorrow, he’ll reappoint himself in yet another sham election,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on the eve of the vote on X. “This is a blatant affront to democracy. Lukashenko doesn’t have any legitimacy.”
Exiled Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya protested the election from the Polish capital Warsaw on Sunday. “Today, we marched for freedom in Warsaw — united and unshaken, honoring our heroes who gave their lives for freedom,” she posted on X, alongside photos from the demonstrations.
“Together, we are unstoppable,” she said. “As Belarusians, we will never lose hope. We will reclaim our country and return home stronger than ever.”
In an interview with POLITICO last week, Tsikhanouskaya urged world leaders to “be prepared for the next moment of opportunity,” and have a “strategy” to take advantage of the next potential tipping point when Lukashenko’s dictatorship could fall.
“There will be only two alternatives for Belarus: Either somebody very pro-Russia like Lukashenko’s followers or it will be democratic forces,” she said.
