Belarus must ensure that its forthcoming presidential election does not turn into a chaotic event akin to the recent US presidential race, during which President-elect Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, stated Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
During a government meeting on Friday, Lukashenko emphasized that the election, set for January 26, should be regarded as “a celebration.”
“We do not require an American-style spectacle where individuals are shot in the ear or head. It is essential that this election is conducted with dignity to prevent unnecessary criticism,” he remarked.
Lukashenko referenced a notable assassination attempt on Trump that occurred in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a rally. The shooter was immediately neutralized by Trump’s security team, resulting in one attendee’s death and several others injured.
Trump faced another assassination attempt in September 2024 at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the assailant was captured while attempting to breach security.
Having been in power since 1994, Lukashenko called on the opposition, which he claims is backed by Western interests, to return to Belarus and participate in the election. “It is easy to criticize from abroad. You must come back and engage in the voting process… The decision should rest with the people here,” he stated.
In September, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov charged that Western nations were interfering in the nation’s domestic matters as the election drew near. The most recent presidential election, during which Lukashenko secured reelection, took place in 2020 and ignited significant protests due to opposition claims of extensive electoral fraud. Minsk has refuted these accusations, asserting that the disturbances were instigated by the United States, its European allies, and Ukraine.
Discover more from Defence Talks | Defense News Hub, Military Updates, Security Insights
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
