“Last dictatorship of Europe”: choice without alternative in Belarus: Lukaschko expects victory

In Belarus, Alexander Lukaschenko wants to be able to choose the head of state again after more than 30 years in power in a presidential election criticized as a farce. It is certain that the 70-year-old, described as the last dictator in Europe, will be explained for the seventh time as a result of the winner. The four competitors in the ex-Soviet Republic are considered pure extras.

A good four years after the violently depressed mass protests against Lukaschenko’s permanent rule, oppositional have either fled abroad or in prison. Human rights activists criticize that in the country, which is the last time in Europe, there are more than 1,200 people in political captivity.

Around 6.9 million eligible voters are called for voting. Lukaschko now expects a loyalty of his power parametite after a cleaning of the country of dissenters and a synchronization of the media.

The polling stations close at 6 p.m. CET (8:00 p.m. local time). In 2020, the election commission granted him 80.1 percent of the vote – at 84.38 percent turnout. This had triggered mass protests nationwide, which had violently knocked down Lukaschenko – with Russia’s help. According to the United Nations, 300,000 people have left Belarus since then.

According to authorities, 41.81 percent of those entitled to vote already voted before the actual election day. In the early vote, critics see an instrument of the authorities in Belarus to manipulate voter turnout and result.

Opposition demands non -recognition of the choice

The opposition in exile shows how it should deal with the vote. Parts call for the boycott, others to use the possibility “against all” on the ballot paper, which, according to experts, carries the danger that many people go to the urns and provide the power apparatus pictures of a high turnout.

The international community called on the warehouse around the leader Swetlana Tachanowskaja, who won the choice of many in 2020, called on the international community not to recognize the election or Lukaschko as president. The country is not only due to political repression, but also because of the support for the Russian attack war against Ukraine with western sanctions.

Lukaschko had repeatedly pardoned political prisoners before the election – more than 200 in total. According to experts, he primarily connects the hope that the West will take dialogue again.

Expert: again more backing for Lukaschenko

The political scientist Waleri Karbalewitsch, who lives abroad, sees a country in fear: Lukaschko’s apparatus fears new protests and therefore had representatives in institutions collect supporter signatures before the vote. “The whole state machinery is upside down, although there are not the quietest indications of protest and no candidate as an alternative,” he says. Belarus keeps a grip on the secret service of KGB, which was already afraid of Soviet because of his brutality.

And the voters are also scared because they are already threatening law enforcement if they read critical information on the mobile phone, says Karbalewitsch of the German Press Agency. Lukaschko wants to legitimize himself with the coordination now set in winter. Actually, the regular date in summer would have been.

Lukaschko is currently using a certain consolidation of society because the critics are gone. In addition, with a view to the war in neighboring Ukraine, he staged himself as the true of peace and stability. “He also has support from many who were against him in 2020, but they were also proof of it back then and are now in line again,” explains Karbalewitsch. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin had not dropped Lukaschenko at the time despite hopes of many demonstrators in Belarus.

High dependence on Russia

The expert Karbalewitsch expects the Lukashenko, who was recently plagued by health problems, to stay in power until the end of his life. The chances are not bad “because the one who is friends with Russia receives gas and oil at low prices and the atomic protective shield”. In the meantime, Belarus is also doing better because the country’s companies produce war economy for Russia.

The price of Lukaschenkos power of power is an increasing economic, financial and political dependence on Putin. “But Belarus has less and less sovereignty,” says Karbalewitsch, who nevertheless sees no acute danger due to the strong resistance in Minsk that Russia incorporates the neighbors.