Alexander Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko is a Belarusian politician who has served as the country’s president since 1994. His rule is marked by centralized power, repression of political opposition, and close ties with Russia.

Presidentialism in Belarus: Belarus’s system concentrates executive authority in the presidency, with limited checks from other branches. Constitutional changes under Lukashenko expanded presidential control over the state.
Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic: A constituent republic of the Soviet Union that became the independent state of Belarus in 1991. Lukashenko began his political career before Belarus gained independence.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: Belarusian opposition leader who became a prominent challenger to Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election. She rejected the official result and became a leading figure in the opposition movement.
Belarus–Russia relations: The political, economic, and security relationship between Belarus and Russia. Lukashenko has relied on Russian support while bargaining over the terms of integration.
Authoritarianism in Belarus: A political system in Belarus in which power is concentrated in the executive and political competition is severely constrained. Lukashenko’s presidency has become the defining force behind this system.
Belarusian KGB: Belarus’s state security agency, which retains the Soviet-era name KGB. The agency has helped suppress dissent and protect the governing system.
Belarusian independence: The emergence of Belarus as a sovereign state after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Independence created the presidency Lukashenko later won.
Viktar Babaryka: Belarusian banker and opposition politician whose planned 2020 presidential campaign was blocked by his arrest. His exclusion helped galvanize opposition to Lukashenko before the election.
Union State: A supranational project established by Russia and Belarus to deepen their political and economic integration. Lukashenko has negotiated its terms while resisting some proposals that could reduce Belarusian sovereignty.
Belarusian diaspora: Communities of Belarusians living outside Belarus, including people who left for political or economic reasons. Repression and insecurity during Lukashenko’s rule have driven many Belarusians abroad.

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