Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?

Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as “Europe’s last dictator,” has ruled Belarus for over three decades. The Belarusian leader recently secured his seventh term in office, extending his 31-year reign following an election widely criticised by Western nations as a sham.

Official results announced by Belarus’s Central Election Commission claimed Lukashenko won 86.8 per cent of the vote , in an election marked by the absence of genuine competition.

Turnout was reported at 85.7 per cent, with over 6.9 million eligible voters. However, opposition figures and international observers dismissed the election as neither free nor fair, citing a lack of independent media and the systematic repression of dissent.

Why Lukashenko is called “Europe’s last dictator”

Lukashenko’s political journey began in 1994 when he was elected as Belarus’s first president after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Initially campaigning as an anti-corruption crusader, he promised to bring stability to a country grappling with economic chaos.

Upon taking office, he quickly consolidated power through constitutional changes, including granting himself authority to dissolve parliament and reshaping Belarus’s political system to ensure his dominance. Over the years, these constitutional tweaks cemented his hold on the presidency, effectively eliminating any real political competition.

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Elections under Lukashenko’s rule have been repeatedly marred by allegations of fraud, with observers and rights groups declaring them neither free nor fair.

Opposition figures, including exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, accused Lukashenko of perpetuating a “ritual for dictators," reported Reuters.

Western governments have condemned the electoral process , with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calling it “a bitter day for all those who long for freedom and democracy.”

Human rights organisations reported that political prisoners, estimated at 1,250, remain behind bars, while leading opposition figures, such as exiled leader Tsikhanouskaya, continue to speak out against Lukashenko’s rule from abroad.

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Lukashenko has demonstrated little tolerance for dissent. Following the 2020 elections, his regime violently suppressed mass protests, arresting tens of thousands and driving many opposition figures into exile.

These measures have left Belarus in a near-permanent state of tension, with public discontent simmering beneath the surface.

Lukashenko’s close alliance with Russia

Geopolitical proximity to Russia has fundamentally shaped Lukashenko’s political strategy. From the outset of his presidency, he sought to foster close ties with Moscow, leveraging Belarus’s location as a strategic buffer state between Russia and NATO member countries.

This relationship deepened significantly in the aftermath of the 2020 protests and amid growing Western sanctions.

A staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko allowed Belarusian territory to be used as a staging ground for Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Speaking on this decision, he told AFP, “I do not regret anything,” calling Putin an “older brother.”

The alliance has also seen Belarus hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons, marking an escalation in regional security tensions. Lukashenko has even threatened to use these weapons “without hesitation” if Belarus is attacked, underscoring his role as a key partner in Putin’s strategic ambitions.

Although Lukashenko previously attempted to position himself as a mediator between the West and Russia, analysts believe his growing reliance on Putin has isolated Belarus internationally.

Western sanctions have further strained the Belarusian economy, sparking speculation about whether Lukashenko may eventually seek rapprochement with Western powers to alleviate domestic pressures.

Human rights violations under Lukashenko

Lukashenko’s administration has faced widespread criticism for its abysmal human rights record. Security forces under his command have been accused of torturing protesters, suppressing independent media, and silencing dissent.

Belarus remains the only country in Europe to retain the death penalty, with executions carried out by gunshot to the back of the head. Such policies have further entrenched the regime’s reputation as one of the most repressive in Europe.

Beyond systemic oppression, Lukashenko’s public statements often reveal his deeply ingrained misogynistic attitudes. During the 2020 election, he openly mocked opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, asserting that Belarus could never be led by a woman because she “would collapse, poor thing.”

Lukashenko has shown no signs of stepping down, famously stating that he is “not going to die.”

A Belarusian court handed an eight-year prison sentence in May 2023 to Raman Pratasevich, a dissident journalist who was detained after his commercial flight was forcibly diverted to Belarus. Pratasevich was arrested in May 2021 in an incident many leaders likened the plane’s redirection to state-sponsored hijacking.

The Ryanair flight, en route from Greece to Lithuania, was instructed by Belarusian air traffic controllers to land in Minsk under the pretext of a bomb threat. However, no explosives were discovered once the aircraft was searched. Pratasevich, a Belarusian citizen living in exile at the time, was taken into custody upon landing.

His Russian partner, Sofia Sapega, was also detained during the operation.

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Despite his strong grip on power, cracks in Lukashenko’s regime are becoming increasingly apparent. While some analysts speculate that Lukashenko may be grooming his son Nikolai as a potential successor, the leader has publicly denied these claims, dismissing them as rumours.

For now, Lukashenko remains unapologetic about his authoritarian rule. At a recent press conference, he declared, “I don’t give a damn about the West,” highlighting his focus on maintaining control at home and further aligning Belarus’s future with Russia.

With inputs from agencies