It seemed that we had gotten used to Aleksandr Lukashenko’s eccentric behaviors and comments over the last 25 years. Yet, the secret inauguration where he assumed the presidency was a surprise.
As with everything that he had done in the past, the goal is the same: to maintain power and not care for anything else, especially the will of Belarusians.
Putting a crown on his head in secret, a crown which is undeserved, is the logical next step following election rigging and repressions against protestors.
The dictator went for a move completely in opposition to the image of a powerful person — an image he would like to present among Belarusians.
After all, only cowards and tricksters work in secret.
Lukashenko no longer cares about his carefully cultivated image because he is the only one who knows the real result of the election. He knows that society does not care about his image and only about moving him away from power.
Opinion: Lukashenko is hurling even more empty threats in Poland’s direction
The Belarusian dictator’s recent speech in parliament revealed nothing new in his approach towards the West and Poland, writes Andrzej Łomanowski
The West doesn’t understand the East
Severe sanctions against Russia or suspending construction on Nord Stream 2? Unfortunately, Brussels cannot even hinder a bankrupt dictator from Minsk, writes Rusłan Szoszyn for Rzeczpospolita daily
Aleksandr Lukashenko Belarus Belarus Protests Czech Republic Demonstrations diplomatic dispute Lithuania Poland Presidential elections News Czechia withdraws ambassador to Belarus, joins other EU nations like Poland, Germany and Latvia
Other EU countries, such as Germany, Estonia, and Latvia, have also decided to withdraw their ambassadors
Opinion: Poland, Belarus and a weak Russia
The clock is ticking for Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Lukashenko, writes political scientist R. Zaleski on his blog at salon24.pl
Belarus: Lukashenko arrives home armed with assault rifle and bulletproof vest
Is the Belarussian leader losing his composure under pressure?
This is the end of Lukashenko’s reign, says Polish political science professor
Professor Przemysław Żurawski Vel Grajewski is convinced that Belarus’s leader has become untenable for Russia due to his unpopularity among Belarusians
PM Babiš calls for repeat presidential election in Belarus
Aleksandr Lukashenko Angela Merkel Belarus EU Mateusz Morawiecki Poland Presidential elections Protests Commentary The West won’t save Belarus
On Belarus, the West has to choose between sacrificing its interests or values, but since it is not prepared to do either it will not do anything, argues Jędrzej Bielecki in Polish dally Rzeczpospolita.
Solidarity veteran: Protests in Belarus will snowball
Could this be the end for Lukashenko? Protests will continue but there are also risks ahead if Belarus is pushed into the arms of Moscow
‘Wave of repression to continue’, says Belarusian opposition activist
What does Hungary’s drift towards China mean for Poland?
Central-Eastern Europe is finding itself in a crucial and fragile position between American and Chinese interests, writes Marek Budzisz in an opinion piece
Polish aid and soft power in the time of the coronavirus: opinion
Poland is developing a dedicated program of support for Belarus and Ukraine