Lukashenko faces little opposition in the country, which is politically wedged between Russian Federation and the EU.
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Europe’s longest-serving leader had earlier ridiculed his main rival Tatiana Korotkevich, who came in second with just over four percent of the vote. About 87% of all eligible voters cast ballots, according to the country’s Central Election Committee.
Nikolay Ulakhovich, the chairman of the Belarusian Patriotic Party, got only 1.67 percent of votes, while 6.4 percent of voters chose the “against all” option.
The election turnout was boosted by authorities organising a massive early vote that began Tuesday, including for soldiers and students. “They made up a staggering turnout, with half-empty polling stations”.
The proposal has raised an outcry from those opposition leaders who have spent their lives protesting against the president and promoting Western democracy.
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Belarus did not fulfil its democratic commitments in holding its vote but stopped short of the sweeping criticisms that previous elections in Belarus have received. “I voted because it is the duty of every citizen…”
“The move comes in the aftermath of presidential elections which took place in the country on Sunday and in which President Aleksandr Lukashenko, in power since 1994, Belarus” won a fifth term in office.
The European Union is also ready to suspend sanctions against nearly two dozen Belarusian companies, accused of providing financial support to Lukashenko’s regime in exchange for preferential treatment. “The economic crisis should logically have led to a fall in trust, but this was neutralised by the Ukraine crisis, which seriously scared Belarussian society”, said Valery Karbalevich, who has written a biography of the president. He is believed to be grooming his 11-year-old son Kolya as his successor.
“Oh, life has become harder, but Lukashenko promises stability and peace”, said 68-year-old Tamara Krylovich after voting in Minsk.
He has also profited from the chaos and war in neighbouring Ukraine. Russia’s intervention in Ukraine visibly spooked Lukashenko, who depends nearly wholly on Moscow for cheap crude oil the country refines to fund its flailing state-dominated economy. “I have nothing against Batka but I wanted someone younger”, she said, using Lukashenko’s nickname, meaning father. “After all, the leadership should change, there should be changes”.
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USA officials have described Lukashenko as “Europe’s last dictator”, but there have recently been signs including the pardoning of six opposition leaders – that suggest Lukashenko is attempting to improve relations with the West. “Percentage of votes cast for the three remaining presidential candidates is within the sociological error”, said Igor Kotlyarov.
