Long described as "the last dictator in Europe", admittedly before Putin's regime became increasingly tyrannical, Aleksander Lukashenko is now the longest-serving head of government in that continent, having exerted an iron grip of power in Minsk since 1994. Initially, his primary plan was to end his country's independence, having changed the national flag to the Soviet design and entered a currency union with Russia, but even Moscow baulked at a scheme for political federation. Ever since, the national parliament has been filled with puppet opposition parties, and protests reduced to a whimper, but faint signs of change have emerged ahead of today week's presidential election.
One candidate, Sviatlana Tshikhanouskaya, has managed to rally public dissent, drawing sizeable crowds in Minsk and Brest, and while Lukashenko will undoubtedly rig the poll, the extent to which falsification will be blatant may determine his capacity for remaining in power.
One candidate, Sviatlana Tshikhanouskaya, has managed to rally public dissent, drawing sizeable crowds in Minsk and Brest, and while Lukashenko will undoubtedly rig the poll, the extent to which falsification will be blatant may determine his capacity for remaining in power.
Comment