Minsk, March 26, 2025 – Alexander Lukashenko has been sworn in as the President of Belarus for the seventh consecutive term. The Russia-aligned leader secured victory in the January elections with nearly 87% of the vote, according to Anadolu Agency.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, the largest ceremonial hall in the capital. Over 1,100 guests attended the event. Before Lukashenko’s arrival, the national and presidential flags were brought into the hall. He took the oath by placing his right hand on the constitution, followed by the national anthem. The chairman of the Central Election Commission then officially handed over the certificate of the presidency.
In the January 26 elections, Lukashenko won with over 5.1 million votes, making up nearly 87% of the total. The election results were formally approved by the commission on February 3.
Belarus became an independent nation in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The country held its first presidential election in 1994, where Lukashenko emerged victorious. Since then, he has won all seven elections and has ruled the country for 30 out of its 33 years of independence. His new five-year term extends his presidency until 2030.
Lukashenko maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has strained Belarus’s relations with the United States and the European Union. His 2020 re-election was met with allegations of fraud from opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, claims that were supported by the EU but denied by Lukashenko.
Belarus has been a strategic ally of Russia since 1999. Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the two nations have strengthened their partnership further. In response to increased U.S. military presence in Europe, Belarus signed an agreement allowing Russia to deploy nuclear-capable missiles on its territory.