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Post-Lukashism. Prospects for change in Belarus after regime collapse

The events of 2020 and the conviction that the fall of the Lukashenka regime is inevitable have prompted a number of businessmen to actively participate in the political processes in Belarus. This can serve as a basis for the assertion that in the event of the destruction or destabilization of the authoritarian regime, business groups will play an extremely important role in shaping a new way of life.

At the moment, it is obvious that the prospects for political change in Belarus are postponed indefinitely. At the same time, the probability of a rapid transition from authoritarianism to democracy is still uncertain. The protracted war in Ukraine and the systemic stability of Putin’s regime in Russia will contribute to the internal stabilization and consolidation of the authoritarian system of government in Belarus. This process will also be facilitated by relentless repression and political purges, which will suppress any dangerous activities in society, as well as increase the atmosphere of fear and terror. To date, there are no acute systemic internal threats and challenges to Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime.

February 7, 2024 - Pavel Usau - Hot TopicsIssue 1-2 2024Magazine

Photo: Alexey Smyshlyaev / Shutterstock

At the same time, the prolonged and stable existence of the Lukashenka regime will have an extremely negative impact (and this is already evident) on the nature of the functioning of opposition structures located abroad. These structures include Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Coordinating Council of the opposition, and the United Transitional Cabinet. These groups were all formed between 2020 and 2022, yet none are politically or financially ready for long-term operations outside the country. The clear dependence on financial support from western partners and a struggle for structural integrity, which is already being challenged by internal conflicts, scandals and splits, will negatively affect the image of the opposition and its support among Belarusian society.

Challenges for democratic transformation

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