Advertisement
Lukashenko to run for president in 2025, Belarus blasts US over poll criticism
- The president, in power since 1994, spoke on the day Belarus, Russia’s neighbour and ally, held parliamentary elections described as a sham by the opposition
- The US State Department said the elections were ‘held in a climate of fear under which no electoral processes could be called democratic’
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994, said on Sunday he intended to seek re-election next year, which could extend his grip on the country to 36 years.
Advertisement
He was speaking on the day Belarus, a neighbour and ally of Russia, held parliamentary elections decried as a sham by the opposition.
“Tell them [the exiled opposition] that I’ll run. No one, no responsible president would abandon his people who followed him into battle,” Lukashenko said, according to Belarusian state news agency BelTA.
Lukashenko, 69, made his comments after voting in parliamentary and local council elections, also denounced by the United States as a “sham”.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: “The elections were held in a climate of fear under which no electoral processes could be called democratic.”
Advertisement