Lukashenko Sworn in for Seventh Term Amid Opposition Protests and Western Condemnation
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for a seventh term on Tuesday, using his inauguration speech to dismiss criticism of his rule and mock those who label him “Europe’s last dictator.” Speaking at the Independence Palace in Minsk, the 70-year-old leader declared that Belarus has more democracy than countries that present themselves as its models.
“Half of the world is dreaming about our ‘dictatorship,’ the dictatorship of real business and interests of our people,” Lukashenko stated before thousands of supporters attending the ceremony.
Opposition figures and exiled activists marked the occasion with protests, coinciding with the anniversary of Belarus’ brief independence in 1918 following the collapse of the Russian Empire. Lukashenko, who has ruled for three decades, was declared the winner of the January 26 election with nearly 87% of the vote, in a process widely condemned as illegitimate. The election featured four candidates who openly supported his rule, and political opponents were either imprisoned or forced into exile before the vote.
Massive protests erupted following the 2020 election, leading to a widespread crackdown. More than 65,000 people were arrested, thousands were beaten by police, and independent media outlets and civil society organizations were shut down. Western nations responded with sanctions, while Belarusian human rights groups have reported that over 1,200 political prisoners remain in custody, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, the founder of the Viasna Human Rights Center.
Lukashenko used his inauguration speech to denounce his critics as foreign-backed agitators. “You don’t and won’t have public support, you have no future,” he declared. His government continues to reject accusations of repression, despite condemnation from human rights organizations that described the election as occurring under a climate of fear and systematic political persecution.
Since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko has relied heavily on political and economic support from Russian President Vladimir Putin. His alliance with Moscow has been instrumental in maintaining his grip on power, particularly following the 2020 protests. Belarus allowed Russian forces to use its territory for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and later hosted Russian tactical nuclear weapons.
Opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled the country under government pressure after running against Lukashenko in 2020, vowed to continue fighting for democratic change. Speaking in Lithuania, she called for Belarus to break away from Russian influence and return to the “European family of nations.”
Despite his deep ties to Moscow, some analysts suggest Lukashenko may attempt to rebuild relations with the West. Political analyst Valery Karbalevich noted that Lukashenko has recently signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue, potentially as a strategy to reduce dependence on the Kremlin and ease the impact of Western sanctions during his seventh term.
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