On January 26, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appeared set to extend his 31-year tenure with a strong victory in a presidential election that Western governments deemed fraudulent.
An exit poll, aired on state TV, forecasted Lukashenko securing nearly 88% of the vote. The close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously justified the imprisonment of dissidents and boldly stated, "I don't care about the West."
European officials criticized the election for lacking freedom and fairness due to banned independent media and the incarceration or exile of opposition leaders.
In response, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lamented, "The people of Belarus had no choice. It is a bitter day for all those who long for freedom & democracy."
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski sarcastically remarked on social media about the high percentage of support Lukashenko received, questioning if there would be enough room in prisons for the dissenting minority.
Facing criticism for imprisoning opponents, Lukashenko defended his actions saying they had made their own choices. He dismissed claims of restricting free speech but justified imprisonment for those who violated the law.
With an 85.7% reported turnout and over 6.9 million eligible voters, Lukashenko's victory was met with skepticism abroad and led to demonstrations in various European cities.
Despite international condemnation, Lukashenko rejected concerns about the credibility of the election, dismissing Western recognition as inconsequential.
After using force to quell protests following the 2020 election, he was denounced by the EU and the US for electoral fraud. The international community remains skeptical of his leadership given the ongoing detention of political dissidents.
Planning his future diplomatic strategies, Lukashenko aims to balance relations with Russia and the West, notably amidst the Ukraine conflict where his allegiances to Putin have deepened.
Despite Lukashenko's controversial actions and alliances, he expressed optimism about potential negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the need for compromise.