Lukashenko: “I’ve been in office a little longer,” but we need to “endure” a bit more
In his characteristic style, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, once again addressed the public with a statement that can provoke questions and debates both within the country and beyond. Speaking at the opening of the large International Exhibition Center in Minsk, he unexpectedly admitted that he has "been in office a little longer," hinting at his prolonged stay in power, which has now lasted more than three decades. The main idea conveyed by Lukashenko was the necessity to "endure" a bit more, because, according to him, "there must be experienced people," as the younger generation is taking power, and this is a natural process of renewal. However, he added that the "youth" are not exactly young anymore; therefore, the so-called “new generation” is more likely people around 50 years old and older. In his speech, Lukashenko emphasized that there are those who want to preserve the country "not only for themselves anymore," but also for the children, hinting at the values of maintaining the state for future generations. He is 70 years old himself and has been in the head of state position since 1994 — nearly thirty years in power, which raises increasing questions about the legitimacy of his rule in the international community. Since the presidential elections of 2020, when large-scale protests erupted over falsifications and repression against the opposition and activists, Lukashenko has remained in power. At that time, the global community, including the European Union and neighboring leaders, condemned the manipulation and the harsh detention of protesters. Since January 26 of this year, Lukashenko has officially assured that he received a legitimate mandate for another term, although his victory was challenged by many international partners. The head of the EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, called these "elections" — words fail here — “a mockery of democracy” and a rejection by the international community. Lithuania and Georgia also do not recognize their legitimacy, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda openly stated that Lukashenko "is not a legitimate President of Belarus" and will remain outside international legitimacy regardless of the results. The prospects for change in this country remain uncertain. Although Lukashenko claims that he is ready to "endure a little more" to preserve the state, many experts believe that his long-standing regime ignores the real needs of society, as internal opposition and civil society continue to advocate for irreversible reforms and honest presidency. The Belarusian leader himself consciously uses such phrases to enhance his image — implying that time and patience are needed for the country to change "in the right direction." However, his words are increasingly perceived as an attempt to maintain control and avoid responsibility for years of authoritarian rule. Meanwhile, experts note that Lukashenko is no longer "young," and his statements about a new generation are more fantasy and political rhetoric than a reflection of real change. His policies remain repressive, and international pressure continues to grow stronger. Overall, the situation in Belarus remains tense. Expectations for change are fading, and the regime continues to strive to maintain the status quo, hoping that soon the world will forget about the illegitimate elections and repression, leaving the country under Lukashenko’s unlimited rule for a long time. According to analysts, his prolonged rule is essentially a struggle to retain power at any cost, and while official rhetoric shows a readiness to "endure a little more," the internal discourse and international pressure only increase tensions and demonstrate that the circle of change in this country remains quite narrow.