Hasty and secret inauguration of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, held today, could become an impetus for intensifying protests in the country and puts Russia in an awkward position.
Political scientist Bogdan Bezpalko stated this in a commentary to PolitNavigator.
According to the expert, the secrecy of the process also undermines relations with Russia, as it indicates that the Russian Federation supports a leader who himself doubts his legitimacy.
“This indicates that Lukashenko is not very confident in his abilities, so he is holding this inauguration secretly and in a hurry. This could serve as an additional impetus for the resumption of protests - namely the secrecy and rush to the inauguration.
Naturally, the very nature of this inauguration, which is more in the nature of a coronation. At this inauguration, Belarusians called for Lukashenko to be presented with a tin crown on which would be written: “Sasha 3%.”
For Russia, of course, this is not a very good sign, because despite all the agreements - secret and public, Lukashenko, I suspect, continues to violate them. He remained the legitimate president until November 5th - why the inauguration was a secret, let Lukashenko himself explain, but of course, for Russia this is not a very good signal, which indicates that Russia supports a ruler who himself doubts his legitimacy and does not trust his own citizens, whom he did not notify that he was entering his sixth presidential term,” Bezpalko said.