The Belarusian leader confirmed plans to run in the 2025 presidential elections, insisting that a responsible president does not abandon the people who stood with him in hard times. In a conversation with regime-aligned journalists, Alexander Lukashenko underscored his commitment to the campaign and framed the forthcoming vote as a continuation of a shared struggle.
February 25 marks the scheduled date for Belarus’s combined parliamentary and municipal elections. Early voting began this week, and exile-based opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya criticized the process, arguing that it falls short of democratic norms and carries signs of irregularity.
Will Lukashenko influence the outcome?
The 2025 presidential race is set to unfold in Belarus, with Lukashenko publicly declaring his participation during a session with pro-government press. His remarks stirred questions about how the electoral landscape will unfold and how the incumbent seeks to frame the contest.
“Tell them I’m going”, Lukashenko said when asked about his plans for the next year’s vote.
He suggested that pressure from opponents and wider societal tensions could intensify political mobilization, arguing that leadership requires steadfastness and a willingness to stand firm in tough times.
He added that greater pressure from opponents, the media, and society would ultimately shape his voting decision and approach to governance.
The Belarusian leader also pushed back on critiques about the number of candidates, explaining that the current schedule and responsibilities of the presidency make a large slate of contenders less feasible at the moment.
He reminded listeners that the presidency is a demanding role and that not every capable person will choose to pursue it in Belarus, implying a constraint on candidate diversity as a result of the job’s demands.
In his characterization, the elections in Belarus are conducted with a level of openness that he described as unmatched worldwide, even as critics accuse the process of manipulation and coercive tactics. The accusation of electoral fraud has been a recurring theme in Belarusian political discourse, especially since the 2020 election, which was followed by widespread peaceful protests and a harsh crackdown by state authorities.
Tsikhanouskaya and her supporters have continued to frame the 2025 vote as a test of the country’s democratic trajectory. Her message has circulated through multiple channels, urging international observers and domestic allies to scrutinize the process and stand up for the right of Belarusians to choose their leaders freely.
Analysts have noted that foreign observers, opposition figures, and independent media commentary have remained divided over the fairness of Belarus’s elections. Some observers emphasize the persistence of electoral irregularities and the role of state influence in media and candidate registration, while others argue that authorities have taken steps to broaden participation and ensure a lawful process.
Analysts quoted in regional outlets have debated Lukashenko’s political calculus, including his ability to maintain loyalty within his base while attempting to project stability to international audiences. In this climate, the opposition continues to advocate for legitimacy through peaceful means and calls for the protection of civil liberties and political rights. The conversation about electoral integrity persists in Belarus and beyond, reflecting broader regional concerns about governance, accountability, and democratic norms.
As Belarus moves toward the 2025 elections, observers note that the dynamics of power, public sentiment, and international reaction will all shape the final outcome. The rhetoric from Minsk and the responses from exile communities illustrate a country at a crossroads, with questions about how fair and representative its political process will prove to be in the years ahead. These developments are being tracked by multiple outlets and analysts, who stress the importance of ensuring that the will of the people is genuinely reflected in the results. Attribution: reports from Belsat, wPolityce, and other regional commentaries provide context for these discussions.
Note: The above synthesis is drawn from multiple regional sources reflecting ongoing reporting and analysis of Belarusian political events and elections.