Editing Alexander Lukashenko (section)

=== Sixth term (2020–2025) ===
{{Main|2020 Belarusian presidential election|2020–2021 Belarusian protests}}
[[File:Лукашэнка на верталёце прыляцеў у Палац Незалежнасці.webm|thumb|Lukashenko, with a gun, arrived by helicopter in the Palace of Independence.]]
On 9 August 2020, according to the preliminary count, Lukashenko was re-elected for his sixth term as the President of Belarus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53717834|title=Belarus election: Clashes after poll predicts Lukashenko re-election|website=BBC News|date=10 August 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911124708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53717834|url-status=live}}</ref> US Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] warned that the election was "not free [or] fair".<ref name="thehill">{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/511382-us-deeply-concerned-over-election-in-belarus|title=US 'deeply concerned' over election in Belarus|website=The Hill|date=10 August 2020|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830214844/https://thehill.com/policy/international/511382-us-deeply-concerned-over-election-in-belarus|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[2020–2021 Belarusian protests|Mass protests]] erupted across Belarus following the [[2020 Belarusian presidential election]] which was marred by allegations of widespread [[electoral fraud]].<ref name=Belarus_election_notdemo>{{Cite web|title=Presidential and Legislative Elections|url=https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190258658.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190258658-e-23|last=Jones|first=Mark P.|editor3-first=Matthew S|editor3-last=Shugart|editor2-first=Robert J|editor2-last=Pekkanen|editor1-first=Erik S|editor1-last=Herron|date=2018|website=The Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems|language=en|doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190258658.001.0001|isbn=9780190258658|access-date=21 May 2020|quote="unanimous agreement among serious scholars that... Lukashenko's 2015 election occurred within an authoritarian context."|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122054620/https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190258658.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190258658-e-23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="atlanticcouncil_about_elections">{{cite news|title = Lukashenka vs. democracy: Where is Belarus heading?|quote = However, the vote was marred by allegations of widespread fraud. These suspicions appeared to be confirmed by data from a limited number of polling stations that broke ranks with the government and identified opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the clear winner.|url = https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/lukashenko-vs-democracy-where-is-belarus-heading/|date = 10 August 2020|website = AtlanticCouncil|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200822131103/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/lukashenko-vs-democracy-where-is-belarus-heading/ |url-status=dead |archive-date = 22 August 2020|access-date = 16 August 2020}}</ref> Subsequently, opposition presidential candidate [[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya]] claimed she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote<ref>{{cite news |title=Belarus election: Exiled leader calls weekend of 'peaceful rallies' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53780685 |access-date=15 August 2020 |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819182051/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53780685 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="victory">{{Cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_05/|title=Belarus opposition candidate declares victory |website=NHK}}{{Dead link|date=April 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and formed a [[Coordination Council (Belarus)|Coordination council]] to facilitate the peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/681364.html|title=Ex-Belarusian presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya's HQ starts forming coordination council to ensure transition of power|website=Interfax-Ukraine|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129092320/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/681364.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/2654151658e4a01e36248a71a3911324|title=Thousands flood Belarus capital as election protests grow|date=14 August 2020|website=AP NEWS|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814091225/https://apnews.com/2654151658e4a01e36248a71a3911324|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 15 August 2020, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lithuania)|Lithuanian foreign minister]] [[Linas Antanas Linkevičius|Linas Linkevičius]] referred to Lukashenko as the "former president" of Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tweet of Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL)|url=https://twitter.com/linkeviciusl/status/1294584461628264449|access-date=15 August 2020|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=23 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823085650/https://twitter.com/LinkeviciusL/status/1294584461628264449|url-status=live}}</ref> It was reported that President Lukashenko's authorities asked [[Kremlin]] representatives about the possibility of Lukashenko escaping to [[Russia]]. Furthermore, it was reported that Russia admits that Lukashenko's resignation from the post of head of state is likely.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru: Лукашенко планирует бегтсво в Россию|url=https://searchnews.info/russia/877063-stali-izvestny-vozmozhnye-plany-okruzhenija-lukashenko-o-begstve-iz-belorussii.html|date=15 August 2020|script-website=ru:searchnews|language=ru|access-date=15 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822115911/https://searchnews.info/russia/877063-stali-izvestny-vozmozhnye-plany-okruzhenija-lukashenko-o-begstve-iz-belorussii.html|url-status=live |title= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2020/08/15/n_14803111.shtml|title=Bloomberg узнал о планах окружения Лукашенко в случае его свержения|website=Газета.Ru|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=16 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816035333/https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2020/08/15/n_14803111.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0010.jpg|thumb|left|Rally against Lukashenko in Minsk, 23 August 2020]]
On 17 August 2020, the members of the [[European Parliament]] issued a joint statement which stated that they do not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus, considering him to be ''[[persona non grata]]'' in the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/world/1190499|title=European Parliament does not recognize Lukashenko as elected president of Belarus|website=TASS|access-date=17 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120051/https://tass.com/world/1190499|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 August, the member states of the [[European Union]] agreed to not recognise the results and issued a statement saying "The 9 August elections were neither free nor fair, therefore we do not recognise the results".<ref name="EU198">{{cite web |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/08/19/conclusions-by-the-president-of-the-european-council-following-the-video-conference-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-19-august-2020/ |title=Conclusions by the President of the European Council following the video conference of the members of the European Council on 19 August 2020 |publisher=European Council |date=19 August 2020 |access-date=21 August 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722154158/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/08/19/conclusions-by-the-president-of-the-european-council-following-the-video-conference-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-19-august-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The governments of the [[United States]],<ref name="Axios"/> [[United Kingdom]] and [[Canada]] have also refused to recognise the results. In an interview on 22 August, Josep Borrell explicitly stated that the European Union does not recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus in the same manner that it does not recognise [[Nicolás Maduro]] as the legitimate president of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cué|first=Carlos E.|date=22 August 2020|title=Borrell: "Lukashenko es como Maduro. No le reconocemos pero hay que tratarle"|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2020-08-22/borrell-lukashenko-es-como-maduro-no-le-reconocemos-pero-hay-que-tratarle.html|work=[[El País]]|language=es|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208213942/https://elpais.com/internacional/2020-08-22/borrell-lukashenko-es-como-maduro-no-le-reconocemos-pero-hay-que-tratarle.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 August 2020, footage emerged showing Lukashenko at the [[Independence Palace, Minsk|Independence Palace]] in Minsk. In the first two videos, he is seen walking near a helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding an [[assault rifle]] (possibly an [[AK-47]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/mkbelarus/9287|title=МАЯ КРАІНА БЕЛАРУСЬ|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913031909/https://t.me/mkbelarus/9287|url-status=live}}</ref> and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/nexta_live/9370|title=NEXTA Live|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913033008/https://t.me/nexta_live/9370|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/belsat/14694|title=Белсат|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913035238/https://t.me/belsat/14694|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/nexta_live/9371|title=NEXTA Live|website=Telegram|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913043704/https://t.me/nexta_live/9371|url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 August, the Independence Palace became again a scene of protests. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko on this day, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/30/poyavilos-novoe-foto-lukashenko-s-oruzhiem-segodnya-on-tozhe-naxodilsya-vo-dvorce-nezavisimosti|title=Появилось новое фото Лукашенко с оружием — сегодня он тоже находился во Дворце независимости|date=30 August 2020|website=people.[[onliner.by]]|language=ru|trans-title=A new photo of Lukashenka with a weapon has appeared – today he was also in the Palace of Independence|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831060746/https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/30/poyavilos-novoe-foto-lukashenko-s-oruzhiem-segodnya-on-tozhe-naxodilsya-vo-dvorce-nezavisimosti|url-status=live |last1=Мелкозеров |first1=Никита }}</ref>
[[File:Meeting of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko 02 (22-02-2021).jpg|thumb|232x232px|Lukashenko and Putin in February 2021]]
On 23 September 2020, Lukashenko was formally inaugurated president for a sixth term in a ceremony at the Palace of Independence attended by an invited group of 700 guests.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kalinovskaya |first1=Tatiana |title=Secret Lukashenko Inauguration Triggers Fresh Belarus Clashes |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/23/secret-lukashenko-inauguration-triggers-fresh-belarus-clashes-a71522 |access-date=24 September 2020 |work=[[Moscow Times]] |agency=[[Agence France Presse]] |date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925045741/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/23/secret-lukashenko-inauguration-triggers-fresh-belarus-clashes-a71522 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 November 2020, Lukashenko announced that he would resign once Belarus' new constitution was adopted.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belarus' Lukashenko says he will leave his post, state media reports|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/lukashenko-says-he-will-leave-his-post-after-months-protests-n1249124|access-date=28 November 2020|website=NBC News|date=27 November 2020 |language=en|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112153108/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/lukashenko-says-he-will-leave-his-post-after-months-protests-n1249124|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December, the executive board of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) decided to exclude until further notice all members of the Belarusian Olympic Committee from all IOC events, specifically targeting Lukashenko who was elected as its chairman in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-eb-takes-provisional-measures-against-noc-of-belarus |title=IOC EB TAKES PROVISIONAL MEASURES AGAINST NOC OF BELARUS |access-date=29 January 2021 |date=7 December 2020 |publisher=The International Olympic Committee |archive-date=16 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316222051/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-eb-takes-provisional-measures-against-noc-of-belarus |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 17 April 2021, Russia's FSB security service exposed an alleged military coup and assassination attempt of Lukashenko.<ref name="7292711Lca"/> Russia also stated that it prevented Lukashenko's murder.<ref name="7292711Lca"/> Two suspects, who were detained at Lukashenko's request, were [[Alyaksandr Feduta]] and [[Yuras Zyankovich]].<ref name="7292711Lca"/> Both are critics of Lukashenko, with the latter being a dual American-Belarusian citizen, despite Belarus not recognizing dual citizenship.<ref name="7292711Lca">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/05/6/7292711/ One of the defendants in the "assassination attempt on Lukashenko" case is seeking refugee status in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506214210/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/05/6/7292711/ |date=6 May 2021 }}, [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (6 May 2021)<br />{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/04/17/7290605/The FSB involved Ukrainian nationalists in "preparing a coup in Belarus."]{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (17 April 2021)</ref>

On 24 April 2021, Lukashenko announced that he would sign a decree to amend emergency transfer of power. "I will sign a decree about how the power in Belarus will be set up. If the President is shot the security council will get the power." Lukashenko is the head of the Security Council himself; however, his eldest son, Victor Lukashenko, is regarded as its informal leader. This move was seen to empower his son, to be in the perfect position to succeed him in the next elections. Under current law, the prime minister assumes the presidential powers if the presidency becomes vacant, but Lukashenko said that the prime minister will only become the nominal leader and all decisions would be taken by the 20-person security council, by secret ballot.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2021 |title=Belarus leader seeks to empower son in succession move |url=https://apnews.com/article/belarus-europe-government-and-politics-fbb7d43b13c48214ff9e2c5485f3a507 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Azerbaijani, Belarus presidents made press statements, April 2021 04.jpg|thumb|Lukashenko during a bilateral meeting with [[Azerbaijan]]i president [[Ilham Aliyev]] in Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2021|left|227x227px]]
On 5 May 2021, Belarusians in Germany filed a legal complaint against Lukashenko for 'state torture' and 'crimes against humanity.' If he enters Germany he risks trial or if convicted and enters Germany faces punishment given by court.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/lawyers-file-suit-against-belarus-lukashenko-in-germany/a-57432482 Lawyers file suit against Belarus' Lukashenko in Germany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507114022/https://www.dw.com/en/lawyers-file-suit-against-belarus-lukashenko-in-germany/a-57432482 |date=7 May 2021 }}, [[DW.com]] (5 May 2021)</ref> Lukashenko responded that Germany was not in a position to criticize him, referring to the German Government as the "Heirs of Fascism".<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 May 2021 |title='Heirs of fascism' can't judge me, Belarus leader says of criminal case in Germany |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/heirs-of-fascism-can-t-judge-me-belarus-leader-says-of-criminal-case-in-germany-idUSKBN2CO121/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> At the same time, he said that he will not resign, a reversal from his statement in November, but said he will call early presidential elections if and only if the United States does so as well.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2021 |title=Lukashenko names conditions for early presidential election in Belarus |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/government/events/lukashenko-names-conditions-for-early-presidential-election-in-belarus_i_129403.html |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=www.belarus.by}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2021 |title=Lukashenko names conditions for early presidential election in Belarus |url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-names-conditions-for-early-presidential-election-in-belarus-139711-2021/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=eng.belta.by |language=en-EN}}</ref>

[[File:Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states Summit gets underway in Samarkand 02.jpg|thumb|250px|Lukashenko, Putin, [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Erdoğan]], [[Xi Jinping]], [[Narendra Modi|Modi]] and other leaders at the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] summit in Samarkand, September 2022]]
On 9 May 2021, Lukashenko signed the decree, announced on 24 April 2021, titled "On the Protection of sovereignty and constitutional order". The contingency decree states that in the event that the President is unable to perform his duties, [[martial law]] will be immediately imposed and presidential power will be transferred to the [[Security Council of Belarus|Security Council]], which is widely believed to be made up of strong allies of Lukashenko.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belarus: President Signs Decree Implementing New Procedure for Transfer of Power |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2021-06-07/belarus-president-signs-decree-implementing-new-procedure-for-transfer-of-power/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 May 2021 |title=Lukashenko signs decree to amend emergency transfer of power – Belta |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lukashenko-signs-decree-amend-emergency-transfer-power-belta-2021-05-09/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

On 24 June 2023, Lukashenko said he had negotiated with [[Yevgeny Prigozhin]] with the agreement of [[Vladimir Putin]] in ending the [[Wagner Group rebellion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/24/wagner-chief-says-his-rebel-troops-turning-back-a81617|title=Wagner Chief Says His Rebel Troops 'Turning Back'|website=[[The Moscow Times]]|date=24 June 2023|access-date=24 June 2023|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624193126/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/24/wagner-chief-says-his-rebel-troops-turning-back-a81617|url-status=live}}</ref> Lukashenko told Wagner that he would be squashed like bugs if he tried to enter Belarus and warned that Putin would never agree to remove top generals, including Defense minister [[Sergei Shoigu]]. He promised to accommodate Wagner's troops in Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/russia-bombs-busy-ukraine-restaurant-as-wagner-moves-to-belarus|title=Russia bombs busy Ukraine restaurant as Wagner moves to Belarus|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=28 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628051640/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/russia-bombs-busy-ukraine-restaurant-as-wagner-moves-to-belarus|url-status=live}}</ref> He claimed that Putin desired to destroy the Wagner Group after the mutiny and he prevented Putin from materializing the obliteration of the group.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Picheta |first1=Rob |last2=Krebs |first2=Katharina |date=27 June 2023 |title=Lukashenko claims he stopped Putin from 'destroying' Wagner group |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/europe/lukashenko-wagner-rebellion-negotiations-putin-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=28 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628055756/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/europe/lukashenko-wagner-rebellion-negotiations-putin-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Lukashenko's rule in the crisis raised his clout internationally.<ref name="Mirovalev">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/what-is-belarus-gaining-from-helping-quell-wagner|title=Belarus role in Russia-Wagner feud 'boosts Lukashenko's clout'|first=Mansur|last=Mirovalev|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=27 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627224243/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/27/what-is-belarus-gaining-from-helping-quell-wagner|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 25 March 2023, Putin announced plans to install [[Russian military presence in Belarus|Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kostenko |first1=Heather |last2=Chen |first2=Hira |last3=Humayun |first3=Mariya |last4=Knight |first4=Andrew |last5=Carey |first5=Radina |last6=Gigova |first6=Maria |date=26 March 2023 |title=Russia plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Putin says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/world/russia-putin-nuclear-weapons-belarus-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> On 27 September 2024, Lukashenko warned that Belarus will use [[nuclear weapon]]s if attacked by the West.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/belarus-says-will-use-nuclear-weapons-in-case-of-an-attack/3343608 |publisher= [[Anadolu Agency]] |title= Belarus says will use nuclear weapons in case of an attack |first= Elena |last= Teslova |date= 27 September 2024 |access-date= 28 September 2024}}</ref>