Situation in Belarus
The recent elections in Belarus have sparked concern among the international community, with many questioning the legitimacy of the results. According to official polls, Aleksandr Lukashenko, the country’s president, secured 87.60 percent of the votes. However, opposition leaders and analysts argue that the election was rigged, and the true results may never be known.
Opposition Response
Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the opposition in exile, stated that "in a society in which repression has not ceased for four years, any protest is now impossible, even peaceful." Other opposition members, such as Maria Kolesnikova and Syarhey Tsikhanouski, have been imprisoned, often in isolation from the outside world.
Voting Process
The ballots featured four other candidates besides Lukashenko, but they are relatively unknown or have expressed support for him. Voters living outside of Belarus were unable to cast their votes, as no electoral colleges were opened for the diaspora abroad. Additionally, there were no independent observers present to monitor the voting process.
International Reaction
The preliminary vote results showed that over 41 percent of votes had been cast before Sunday, which the opposition claims is a clear indication of forgery. Ukraine, along with the EU, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, does not recognize the elections as transparent and free. Georgui Tiji, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that "for us, it is obvious that Alexander Lukashenko will continue to be an ally and complicit of Putin in his war against Ukraine, which develops against the interests of the Belarusian people."
Implications for Ukraine
Lukashenko’s "victory" has significant implications for Ukraine, as he has allowed Russian forces to enter Ukraine from Belarus. The Russian Balistic Missile System "Orshnik" is set to arrive in Belarus, which has raised concerns among Ukrainians and Belarusians alike. Aliaksei FrantsKevich, head of the Free Belarusian House in Lviv, emphasized that "our country suffers a double occupation, by Lukashenko and Russia."
Hope for Change
Despite the current situation, many Belarusians see Ukraine’s struggle against Russian invasion as an opportunity to bring about change in their own country. The Kastus Kalinouski regiment, a unit of the Ukrainian army composed of Belarusian volunteers, believes that if Putin suffers a defeat in Ukraine, Lukashenko’s power will weaken, giving the opposition a chance to bring about democratic reforms. At least 70 Belarusian volunteers have died fighting against their common enemy, according to Frantskevich.