At the same time, it prevents opposition leaders living in exile from running in future presidential elections
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a new law that grants him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution and prevents opposition leaders living in exile from running in future presidential elections.
The new measure appears to be aimed at further strengthening Lukashenko’s power and eliminating potential challengers in the country’s next presidential election, which is due to be held in 2025.
The law significantly tightens the requirements for presidential candidates and makes it impossible to elect opposition leaders who have fled to neighboring countries in recent years. Only citizens of Belarus who have permanently resided in the country for at least 20 years and have never had a residence permit in another country can apply.
Belarus was rocked by mass protests during Lukashenko’s controversial August 2020 re-election to a sixth term, which the opposition and the West condemned as fraudulent. At that time, Belarusian authorities arrested more than 35,000 people, many of whom were tortured while in custody or fled the country.
Source :Skai
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