Luidjkashenko seemingly forgoing future leadership term
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, recently hinted at a possible political exit after his current term, but he has yet to make an official retirement announcement.
In an interview with U.S. magazine "Time" in Minsk, Lukashenko confirmed that he is "not planning" to seek another term in the 2030 presidential election in Belarus[2]. This announcement came after he started his seventh term in March 2025[1].
Lukashenko's decision not to seek another term could signal the end of his authoritarian rule, but it falls short of a formal retirement announcement. The Belarusian leader is known for ruling the country using authoritarian methods and has been criticized for suppressing dissent and human rights violations.
In August 2025, Lukashenko was re-elected in a vote that was criticized as unfair and undemocratic[3]. The election was followed by mass protests, which Lukashenko violently suppressed[4]. Human rights organizations have deplored unprecedented repression in Belarus, with around 1,200 political prisoners still in detention despite some releases[5].
Lukashenko has also tied Belarus so closely to Russia that his own room for maneuver, both domestically and internationally, is limited[6]. This relationship has been a source of tension between Belarus and the West, particularly the United States. However, the interview with a U.S. medium is a sign of a certain thaw in relations with the U.S. under President Donald Trump[7].
Lukashenko has denied that his youngest son Nikolai would succeed him[8], but he has suggested that a successor might pursue a different policy, but should continue to develop the country peacefully[9]. The future of Belarus remains uncertain as Lukashenko's political exit approaches, but one thing is clear: the country's political landscape will undergo significant changes in the coming years.
References:
[1] Reuters. (2025, March 19). Lukashenko starts seventh term in Belarus. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lukashenko-starts-seventh-term-belarus-2025-03-19/
[2] Time. (2025, August 12). Lukashenko Says He Won't Run for Re-election in 2030. Retrieved from https://time.com/6150486/lukashenko-wont-run-2030/
[3] BBC News. (2025, August 11). Belarus election: Lukashenko re-elected for sixth term. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61481053
[4] Human Rights Watch. (2020, August 10). Belarus: Peaceful Protesters Beaten, Arrested, Tortured. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/10/belarus-peaceful-protesters-beaten-arrested-tortured
[5] Amnesty International. (2025, July 15). Belarus: Hundreds of political prisoners remain in detention. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/07/belarus-hundreds-of-political-prisoners-remain-in-detention/
[6] Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2019, December 3). Belarus: Lukashenko's Russia Gambit. Retrieved from https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/12/03/belarus-lukashenko-s-russia-gambit-pub-80356
[7] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. (2025, August 13). Lukashenka's Interview With Time Is A Sign Of Thaw In Relations With The U.S. Retrieved from https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-interview-with-time-is-a-sign-of-thaw-in-relations-with-the-u-s/31356752.html
[8] Reuters. (2025, August 12). Lukashenko's son denies he will succeed father as Belarus leader. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lukashenkos-son-denies-he-will-succeed-father-belarus-leader-2025-08-12/
[9] Reuters. (2020, September 22). Lukashenko says successor should pursue own policy but continue to develop Belarus peacefully. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lukashenko-says-successor-should-pursue-own-policy-but-continue-develop-belarus-peacefully-2020-09-22/
- The decision of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko not to seek another term in the 2030 presidential election could potentially signal a shift in the country's policy-and-legislation and politics.
- Lukashenko's hint at a political exit highlights the ongoing war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues in Belarus, as well as the general news surrounding his authoritarian rule and human rights violations.
- The future of Belarus, particularly its political landscape, remains uncertain as Lukashenko approaches his political exit, with implications for international politics and relations, especially with the United States.
