Impact of Belarus’s sham election on regime stability
22
January 2025 — 2:00PM TO 3:30PM
Anonymous (not verified)
6 January 2025

Chatham House and Online

This panel explores the current state and future of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s rule at its ‘vulnerable’ voting time.

Just ahead of the state-orchestrated voting exercise on 26 January, analysts and observers assess what this campaign says about Belarus and its future, and whether anything has changed significantly. 

Experts address key questions, including:

• Is Lukashenka’s regime stronger than ever? What factors contribute to its resilience? What lessons can Western states learn about autocracies’ durability? (Or is Belarus sui generis?)
• Is any form of dialogue between Lukashenka and the West possible? (Or desirable at present?) What kind of Western policy is needed to promote sovereignty and democracy in Belarus? (Or is that asking too much?) Can Lukashenka offer anything meaningful on regional security? (Or does it all boil down to the path Russia takes?)
• Does the regime have a plan to transform itself and replace its aging leader? Can the West use the transition of power in Belarus to strengthen its interests?

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Source: Chathamhouse Events