Elbasization Belarusian-style: Lukashenka strengthens the military alliance with Russia

“The majority understands perfectly well that the constitutional amendments are aimed at conserving the political status quo and keeping Aliaksandr Lukashenka in power,” believes Andrei Kazakevich, director of the Political Sphere Institute.

According to him, the current amendments, although it may seem otherwise, will not necessarily help Lukashenka remain in the presidential chair: “The foreign-policy situation may change, Lukashenka may stop receiving support from Russia, and it is also unclear how society inside Belarus will react to this in such a long-term perspective.

At present, protest has been suppressed, but its causes have not been eliminated.

Lukashenka’s strategy is to remain in power as long as possible.

As for Russia, immediately after the 2020 election it promoted a new draft constitution as a mechanism for resolving the political crisis.

Now Moscow has fewer motives, since Lukashenka is already quite useful for Russia’s foreign-policy initiatives.”

Read in full (https://www.svoboda.org/a/belarus-lukashenko-ukreplyaet-voennyy-soyuz-s-rossiey/31694886.html)