{"id":114135,"date":"2024-11-17T16:03:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-17T13:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/114135\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","slug":"lukasenkas-re-election-theatrical-campaigns-without-competition","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/114135\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka’s “re-election”: theatrical campaigns without competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Election campaigns in Belarus are increasingly theatrical as state propaganda hammers home the message that Aliaksandr \u0141uka\u0161enka is too popular to face serious competition\u2014while attempting to maintain the illusion of a free and competitive election.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n A ballot-access signature collection event for Aliaksandr \u0141uka\u0161enka at the Hi-Tech Park in Minsk on November 13\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (BelTA)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka claims to have collected more than 700,000 signatures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a visit to Tractor Stadium in Minsk on November 14, \u0141uka\u0161enka claimed that his campaign had gathered more than 700,000 signatures for his nomination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He downplayed the significance of it, stating that he was more focused on his official duties and harvest work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, \u0141uka\u0161enka does not need to worry about collecting signatures. While his support base is estimated to be around 25-30 percent of registered voters, he has all the capabilities and powers of the administrative state at his disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The head of the Vitebsk region recently revealed in a televised interview that regional authorities were competing among themselves to gather signatures for the incumbent. Indeed, many public sector workers give their signatures for fear of losing their jobs if they refuse to support \u0141uka\u0161enka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, the central election commission typically approves any number of signatures submitted by his team without verifying their authenticity. Much like Josef Stalin, \u0141uka\u0161enka ostentatiously downplays his own cult of personality, pretending to tolerate the reverence surrounding him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka stated that he considered halting the signature collection campaign, but was persuaded by D\u017amitryj Krutoj, head of the presidential administration, who argued that \u201cpeople should be given the opportunity to show their support for their leader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka also confessed his concern that people might hesitate to sign for other candidates. This is not surprising, given the brutal crackdown on those who supported his challengers in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, his rivals are mere empty suits, but many voters still avoid taking risks. But \u0141uka\u0161enka does not want to be the sole candidate on the ballot. Several token challengers will be added to create the illusion of a contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod forbid a woman gets elected\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka also commented on the withdrawal of Volha \u010camadanava, Minsk\u2019s former ideology chief, and General Siarhiej Bobryka\u016d from the race:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNaturally, they\u2019re supporters of the president. They registered with one goal: \u2018Even though we knew he was going to win, we wanted to make sure he didn\u2019t get hurt.\u2019 As if anyone can ever hurt me. But then they realized their organizations didn\u2019t understand that move, so they decided to pull out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bobryka\u016d, chairman of the pro-government Belarusian Union of Officers, said he withdrew to ensure military officers rallied behind the incumbent without hesitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This election is nothing more than a \u201cre-election of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u201d with no real alternatives. However, a ritual must be performed; the appearance of pluralism and intrigue must be maintained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four remaining candidates, as well as those who have withdrawn, all offer the same rationale for their decisions: they wish to show their support for the current leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After \u010camadanava\u2019s departure, Hanna Kanapackaja, a former opposition figure who has since become a loyalist, stands a chance of being included on the ballot. This would allow the propaganda machine to claim that an opposition figure is represented among the contenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, \u0141uka\u0161enka may see this as an opportunity to \u201ctrounce\u201d a woman, perhaps to counter the psychological impact of having his 2020 victory contested by opposition leader Sviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On November 14, \u0141uka\u0161enka again displayed his sexism disguised as concern: \u201cGod forbid a woman gets elected in Belarus. . . . This is a tough job. You don\u2019t want a woman in that position. This role isn\u2019t just ceremonial in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criticism of European politicians<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian ruler took the opportunity to criticize European leaders: \u201cThe Americans have already started wiping their boots on [German Chancellor Olaf] Scholz.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He expressed hope that Europe would produce a political heavyweight like Charles de Gaulle, Helmut Kohl, or Jacques Chirac, whom he described as \u201creal man who stood up for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, he did not mention strong female leaders such as Margaret Thatcher or Angela Merkel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka genuinely believes he is exceptional and indispensable. After dismantling the mechanism of competitive elections, he looks down on European leaders who are elected fairly and limited to no more than two terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He views fair elections as \u201crotten democracy,\u201d while his own unfettered authority\u2014free of such constraints\u2014is, in his view, not just normal but necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orwell\u2019s accurate predictions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This election highlights how the \u0141uka\u0161enka system has degraded following the 2020 crisis. While opposition candidates were persecuted before, they could still run in presidential elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after the 2020 uprising, the authorities decided to crush any semblance of real competition once and for all. The totalitarian spirit is now pervasive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George Orwell\u2019s slogan from 1984<\/em>\u2014\u201cWar is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength\u201d\u2014aptly describes the essence of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government is involved in the Russian war against Ukraine, with Russian Shahed drones using Belarusian airspace. Yet \u0141uka\u0161enka presents himself as the guarantor of peaceful skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He claimed that in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew his troops from Belarus after joint maneuvers, but that the Ukrainians provoked him into invading their country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The propaganda presents a stark dichotomy regarding the West, particularly Poland and Lithuania, where people are allegedly suffering under anti-people governments. In contrast, Belarus is portrayed as a model of freedom\u2014despite being, in reality, one large prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State propaganda claims that presidential candidates entered the \u201crace\u201d with great enthusiasm and a sense of urgency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the regime struggles to control information, it has banned \u201cseditious\u201d books. Ignorance is strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The authorities also attempt to rewrite history by imposing their version of the 2020 events in a manner reminiscent of dystopian fiction. Propaganda claims that some in society \u201clost their reason,\u201d but have since realized their mistake and are now petitioning for clemency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government-controlled news agency BelTA published images of a pro-\u0141uka\u0161enka picket at the Hi-Tech Park, sending a clear message that IT professionals allegedly support the incumbent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, IT workers staged protests at the Hi-Tech Park that were violently dispersed by riot police. Now, however, they obediently line up in front of a tent displaying the pro-\u0141uka\u0161enka slogan \u201cMust Run.\u201d This is intended to demonstrate how the \u201crebel nest\u201d has been subdued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, \u0141uka\u0161enka continues to remind his subordinates to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He senses a latent threat within the repressed society, but fails to understand that the real danger is not from the West or exiled opponents, but from the people who have outgrown his system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He can intimidate his opponents and break their will to resist, but he cannot reshape mass consciousness in the spirit of dystopia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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