Belarusian president says authoritarian rule in his country “inevitable”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated on August 28 that he does not wish to rule the country in an “authoritarian or dictatorial manner,” but so far, nothing else has worked out.

“I would not like to rule in an authoritarian, dictatorial way… But so far, it hasn’t worked out,” Lukashenko said, Caliber.Az quoting his remarks from Pul Pervogo Telegram channel.

Lukashenko has been in power since 1994. His contested re-election in 2020 triggered months of mass demonstrations, which were met with a heavy-handed security response. After ruling the country for three decades, Lukashenko told Time earlier in August that he would not seek another term.

By Sabina Mammadli