Lukashenko hints at stepping down: Belarus braces for change
Aleksander Lukashenko surprised the residents of Vitebsk on Saturday by paying a visit. The Belarusian leader suggested that another president might soon lead the country. "You should get used to the fact that the president will be different," he said.
Aleksander Lukashenko has been ruling Belarus since 1994. The leader, however, is entirely dependent on the Kremlin in his actions. He does everything Vladimir Putin orders him to maintain his power. It's no wonder, since Russian troops are stationed in Belarus, and nuclear weapons have been deployed there.
Lukashenko was re-elected president in 2020, though there are significant doubts about the results of that election. The doubts sparked a wave of protests, which were brutally suppressed by the Belarusian regime. Lukashenko, with Putin's help, stabilised the situation in the country, and his political opponents were imprisoned. Unfortunately, democracy in Belarus failed.
Next year, another presidential election will be held. Again, there will certainly be significant doubts about their fairness. However, the question is who will run in them.
Lukashenko won't be president? "It will be someone else"
Aleksander Lukashenko used a mysterious statement during his Saturday visit to the town of Horodyszcze, in the Vitebsk region. His words were quoted by the Interfax agency. The leader suggested that he might soon stop performing his function.
I am already starting to publicly tell you all: you should get used to the fact that the president will be different. (...) You must get used to the fact that I am not eternal, just like all of you - Lukashenko told the gathering.
It is known, however, that the president of Belarus will not decide to vacate his position on his own. He announced that he would not leave "neither tomorrow, nor the day after tomorrow." However, he suggested that change might occur soon. As recently as February, Lukashenko declared that he would run for re-election. Now, however, he has sown much uncertainty. Perhaps in next year's elections, another nominee who gains the Kremlin's favour will participate. And what will happen to Lukashenko?
I will leave, live with you somewhere in a village, come, and you will remember and thank me that it wasn't worse - the Belarusian president supposedly said.
