Lukashenko's grip weakens: Health woes amid election farce
Alexander Lukashenko will soon turn 71. The Belarusian dictator is likely to win another manipulated presidential election in the country on Sunday. However, there are increasingly frequent reports about his health problems.
Since 1994, Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus without interruption. On Sunday, the Belarusian dictator is expected to "win" the elections once again, securing another term in power. The international community, however, is convinced that the electoral process in Belarus is manipulated and the results are predetermined. This was evident in 2020, leading to mass protests against Lukashenko.
Doctors called to Lukashenko. Was help needed from China?
In recent months, there have been more frequent reports regarding Lukashenko's health problems. The dictator reportedly fell ill during foreign visits on multiple occasions. This occurred in May 2023, during Moscow's Victory Day celebrations, as well as a year later at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan.
The Institute of Central Europe, quoting former Belarusian ambassador to Poland, Pavel Latushko, reported that Alexander Lukashenko suffers from significant health issues including diabetes, knee problems, spine issues, and head tremors. He is also experiencing increased difficulty with movement, which has prompted him to give up certain sports, including his favourite, hockey.
Marcin Strzyżewski, author of books on Russia and Belarus, highlighted in the program "The World According to Poland" that it is increasingly challenging for the regime to conceal information about the Belarusian leader's health issues. - Leaks revealed that one of Lukashenko's sons, when the dictator's health situation became very serious, made a direct appeal for help to China - Strzyżewski noted.
Lukashenko will soon turn 71. He is, however, reluctant to discuss his health. He made an exception last July when he visited his hometown for an annually organized concert. He admitted then that he has "difficult days" and is "tired." This coincided with the dictator's indisposition at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
- There are numerous mass events. And the hardest part is when there are a lot of people and everyone, looking at you, is expecting something—some may curse, others may thank you, and some expect something else. This large number of people greatly affects a person - Lukashenko remarked, as quoted by the Zerkao portal.
Russian journalist Mikhail Fishman from the independent TV station Dozhd reported at the time, citing his anonymous sources, that Alexander Lukashenko lost consciousness during the summit in Astana, and his condition "began to deteriorate in front of the participants."
According to Fishman, Lukashenko is "in fact seriously ill" and "struggling to manage it effectively."
Belarusian law states that if the president dies or becomes unable to perform his duties, the chairman of the Council of the Republic (the upper house of parliament) takes over. That's the theory; in practice, Lukashenko's sons might assume leadership.
