Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in an election deemed fraudulent by Western governments. The Central Election Committee announced Lukashenko garnered 86.8% of the vote with an 87% voter turnout. The ballot included no credible challengers due to opposition members being imprisoned or exiled, and the absence of independent election monitors.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, criticized the election as an assault on democracy, while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lamented that Belarusians had no genuine choice. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Lukashenko's win, calling it a "solid victory."
Notable leaders from China, Venezuela, and Pakistan extended congratulations to Lukashenko, while exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya dismissed the election as a mere spectacle. Lukashenko's attempt to sideline Tikhanovskaya backfired when she garnered significant support, leading to her exile from Belarus.
Lukashenko stated to the BBC's Steve Rosenberg that his opponents had opted for "prison or exile," emphasizing his indifference to Western recognition of the election. This victory secures Lukashenko's seventh term in office, consolidating his presidency since 1994.