Belarus' election reinforces authoritarian leader's rule

26/2/2024 19:21

        Belarusian authorities on Monday announced preliminary results from parliamentary and local elections in which only candidates loyal to the country's authoritarian leader were allowed to compete and the opposition called for a boycott.
        
        The vote further cemented the 30-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, who declared his intention to seek another five-year term in a presidential election next year.
        
        Most candidates belonged to the four officially registered parties: Belaya Rus, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Party of Labor and Justice, all of which support Lukashenko's policies. The Central Election Commission said 73% of the country's 6.9 million eligible voters cast ballots, filling all 110 seats in the national parliament, 51 of which went to Belaya Rus, and 12,514 seats in local councils.