Łukašenka talking about succession, Krutoj shown in close-up

August 11, Pozirk. During his tour of the Škłoŭ district on August 10, Alaksandar Łukašenka hinted that he may not run in next year’s presidential election.

When meeting with residents in Haradzišča, Mahiloŭ region, one woman asked him to announce his presidential bid.

“I already publicly starting to say to everybody [that] you must get used [to the idea] – I have spoiled you a little bit – that there will be another president,” he said in a video released by his unofficial Telegram channel.

“No, I am not saying [that] I am going to leave you tomorrow or after tomorrow . . . But anything can happen. You should get used to the fact that I am not immortal like everybody else.”

“Look at young people growing, we are preparing,” he said pointing at officials standing next to him. At this point, the video showed a close-up shot of Dźmitryj Krutoj, chief of Łukašenka’s administration, while other faces were out of focus.

In a separate video, Łukašenka told his audience, “You must understand that the time will come sooner or later. I worry about it more than you, but I understand that the time will come.”

“You should not think that this is simple, someone sits there and reigns. I also have children and grandchildren and I would like to see them grow etc.

“But I don’t dump you. In any case I will support you and help you. As for today, tomorrow and after tomorrow, we have decided today how we will live and how we will build our lives.”

Łukašenka pointed out that his main goal was to prevent the war from spilling over to Belarus.

The Belarusian longtime ruler has repeatedly said that he was fed up with the presidency, but extended his rule over and over again through flawed elections.

He has made conflicting statements about his plans for 2025.

In late April, Łukašenka was elected chairman of All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, a supreme agency with sweeping powers, including the right to appoint election officials and supreme and constitutional judges, impeach the president, define internal and foreign policy priorities, propose legislation and constitutional amendments, call referenda, declare a state of emergency and invalidate elections.

Also read: Łukašenka elected chairman of All-Belarusian People’s Assembly