In power since 1994: Lukashenko declared winner of the presidential election in Belarus

As expected, the election commission in Belarus has declared Alexander Lukashenko the winner of the presidential election, which was criticized as unfair and unfree – for the seventh time in a row. According to the state news agency Belta, the Russian-backed head of state, who has been in power for 30 years, received 86.82 percent of the vote according to preliminary results. The chairman of the electoral commission announced this. The alleged vote share is the highest ever awarded to Lukashenko.

In post-election polls on Sunday, the president received 87.6 percent of the vote. Voter turnout in the country often referred to as Europe’s last dictatorship was reported at 85.7 percent, more than in 2020 (84.38 percent). At that time, Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80.1 percent of the vote. A press conference by the electoral commission has been announced for 11 a.m. local time (1 p.m. CET).

“You have to know that the figures published in Belarus have nothing in common with reality,” said political scientist Valeri Karbalevich, who fled into exile because his life was in danger, to the German Press Agency. “The power apparatus determines the numbers in advance.” According to Karbalevich, in an election with real opposing candidates, Lukashenko would have had no chance of winning. Four competitors who were known to be ardent supporters of Lukashenko and were considered mere extras were allowed to take part in the vote.