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Belarus election

September 14, 2010

Belarus has scheduled a presidential election for December 19. Incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, whom Washington dubs "Europe's last dictator" is widely expected to seek a fourth term.

https://p.dw.com/p/PBZ1
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
Lukashenko has been at the helm in Minsk since 1994Image: AP

The Belarusian parliament has set presidential polls for December 19 in which long-time president Alexander Lukashenko is expected to run for a fourth term.

The date was approved by 108 of 110 members of the parliament, which is dominated by supporters of Lukashenko, who has ruled the former Soviet republic with an iron fist since 1994.

After being famously described by Washington as Europe's last dictator, Lukashenko has made attempts at greater openness.

This has resulted in a sharp deterioration in relations with Russia, which could complicate Lukashenko's efforts to secure a landslide victory, as he did in each of Belarus' previous three presidential elections.

Author: Gabriel Borrud (AFP/Reuters)
Editor: Rob Turner

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