{"id":104604,"date":"2024-09-12T12:59:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/104604\/"},"modified":"2024-09-12T13:07:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T10:07:12","slug":"lukasenka-dismisses-february-23-election-date-as-opposition-rumor","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/104604\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka dismisses February 23 election date as opposition rumor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka convened a meeting on September 10 to discuss the upcoming 2025 presidential election, which he said must be held before July 20.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n (Pozirk file photo)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka puts off election-related decisions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The conference was attended by key figures, including the parliamentary speakers, the Committee for State Security (KGB) chief and the central election commission chairman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka talked about a new five-year plan, outreach, health care, education and the election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the public should not expect any decisions because it was just the first event in a series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, \u0141uka\u0161enka focused his strongest words on the opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncertainty over election date<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka stopped short of announcing the date, but said the poll must be held before July 20. He warned officials against listening to rumors, apparently alluding to allegations coming from opposition sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BelPol, an association of former Belarusian law enforcement officers, claimed earlier this month that the government\u2019s plans to hold the election on February 23, citing insider information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BelPol said that \u0141uka\u0161enka is determined to extend his tenure for another five years, noting that his campaign is scheduled to kick off on September 17 and include a unity marathon and patriotic rallies. According to BelPol, it will be managed by \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s daughter-in-law, Hanna Sia\u0142uk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the September 10 meeting, top election official Ihar Karpenka told state media journalists that the House of Representatives will consider four possible dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certainly, it will not be February 23. It would be too humiliating for officials to admit that their plans have been leaked to the opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka claims to be undecided<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether \u0141uka\u0161enka will run is not yet known. Propagandists have encouraged voters to back him, but he repeatedly said that he has not made up his mind yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian leader said the election should complete the formation of a new political system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most likely, he is waiting for the All-Belarusian People\u2019s Assembly to convene later this year to urge him to stay. Certainly, he will not be able to refuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KGB urged to uncover more opposition plots<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian ruler demonstrated his deep awareness of independent media coverage and accusations made by pro-democracy leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He claimed that his opponents have not appreciated his recent decisions to pardon about 80 political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that no one thanked him for signing the edicts pardoning his jailed political opponents who, he said, are currently under full control of law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opposition is not happy with the recent pardons \u201cbecause the Americans and others tell them: guys, where have you been, what is your contribution? But there has been none. Then there is no money,\u201d his press office quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[The opposition] could have been happy, but they are preoccupied with proving to themselves and others abroad that they made a huge contribution and \u2018forced the dictator\u2019 to make such decisions,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNobody can force me, it is impossible. . . . I have never made decisions under orders or pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, he accused his exiled opponents of making plans for an armed invasion and urged the KGB to uncover more plots by dissidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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