Expectations for the presidential elections in Belarus

The presidential elections in Belarus, to be held on January 26, have already been condemned by the European Parliament and many international experts, who say they are expected to be manipulated by the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994. He will run for another term in the country's presidential election on January 26. Previous elections in the country have never been deemed free and fair by the international community.

"These elections are very likely to be absolutely peaceful and will show record results in support of Lukashenko. I think he will get about 87% or more support," says Alexander Friedman of Saarland University.

The Central Election Commission in Belarus blocked a number of candidates ahead of the election, ensuring that Alexander Lukashenko would have no rivals in the election.

"Nothing significant will happen before the elections. The repression is continuing in Belarus and getting worse," says Roza Turarbekava from the University of Warwick.

Ms. Turarbekava referred to the repression that began in 2020 after that year's presidential elections that sparked massive protests across the country.

Western countries have repeatedly imposed sanctions against Lukashenko's regime and do not consider him a legitimate president of the country.

Due to the consequences of these sanctions, the Lukashenko regime has moved closer to Russia, allowing President Vladimir Putin to use its territory to station Russian troops and organize attacks against Ukraine.

Experts like Ms. Turarbekava say that Lukashenko's regime has turned Belarus into a satellite of Moscow.

"When faced with a choice between himself and his country, Lukashenko chose himself. Putin exploited him and made him dependent on Russia in a way that Lukashenko now cannot say no to any of Putin's demands," says Roza Turarbekava of the University of Warwick.

Following the 2020 anti-Lukashenko protests, Belarusian authorities forced non-governmental organizations to close along with almost all independent media outlets.

Journalists in large numbers faced detentions, arrests, raids, and criminal charges. Many have fled the country, further limiting the possibility of holding free and fair elections./ VOA (A2 Televizion)