Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Europe’s last dictator has been in power since 1994.
Europe’s last dictator has been in power since 1994.
What is happening?
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a rare admission on Thursday, openly acknowledging the use of authoritarian methods during his decades-long rule.
“I did not want to”
“I did not want to govern in an authoritarian, dictatorial way. But so far I have not been able to do otherwise,” he said, according to his press service via Telegram.
The statement was reported by Spain’s EFE news agency and quoted by Romanian outlet Agerpres.
In power since 1994
Lukashenko has led Belarus with an iron grip since 1994, making him one of Europe’s longest-serving and most controversial leaders.
His presidency has been marked by tight control over the political system, state media dominance, and severe limitations on civil liberties.
He is widely referred to as “Europe’s last dictator.”
Brutal crackdown after 2020 election protests
Following the contested presidential election in August 2020, Lukashenko’s government responded with force against mass protests.
The opposition, supported by many Western governments, claimed the vote was rigged.
Thousands were arrested, independent media was silenced, and dissenters were driven into exile or prison.
Opposition parties and voices silenced
Under Lukashenko, all opposition parties and movements have been banned.
Activists report that around 1,300 political prisoners remain in custody, though some have been granted pardons.
Many opposition leaders fled the country, fearing persecution or imprisonment.
Protesters and activists forced into exile
The aftermath of the 2020 protests saw a mass exodus of political activists.
Hundreds of demonstrators, journalists, and civil society leaders have since sought asylum abroad.
The political landscape inside Belarus has become increasingly barren, with any form of dissent effectively criminalized.
Close alliance with Putin
Lukashenko has long maintained a close alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In 2022, he allowed Russian forces to launch part of their invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
This move further cemented Belarus’s position as a regional outlier aligned with Moscow over the West.
Another controversial election in 2025
Despite widespread criticism, Lukashenko was re-elected in January 2025 with more than 86% of the vote.
This marked his seventh consecutive term as president.
Western observers widely dismissed the results as neither free nor fair.
Signals interest in mending US ties
In a surprising turn, Lukashenko has recently taken steps to normalize relations with the United States.
He even held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The outreach came ahead of a high-profile summit between Trump and Putin, set to take place on August 15 in Alaska.
Diplomacy amid tensions
Though heavily aligned with Russia, Lukashenko’s latest diplomatic overtures suggest he may be seeking to balance international relations.
The reasons behind this shift remain unclear, but analysts speculate it may be tied to economic pressures or political calculations.
Still, skepticism remains high in the West regarding his intentions.
A leader unlikely to change?
While Lukashenko’s apology for his authoritarian rule may appear conciliatory, critics argue it changes little on the ground.
Opposition remains outlawed, civil liberties are restricted, and the regime continues to stifle dissent.
To many, the president’s comments were less a turning point and more a justification of the status quo.
