Lukashenko likely to win 75% of vote
Source: Agencies |
December 20, 2010, Monday
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AN exit poll predicted Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko would win almost 75 percent of the vote in an election held yesterday, and the long-term leader dismissed opponents' threats to protest against the outcome.
The 56-year-old former state farm director has ruled the ex-Soviet republic since 1994 and, challenged only by an assortment of disorganised opponents, is poised for a fourth five-year term.
Lukashenko won backing at the 11th hour from Moscow after being vilified on Russian television for weeks and he seems set to continue a policy of playing off Russia against the West.
The conduct of the vote, the margin of Lukashenko's victory, and his handling of opposition protests could decide how far the European Union decides to engage the country of 10 million people on its eastern flank.
The country serves as a buffer between Russia and NATO and a transit route for Russian gas heading to European consumers.
Nine candidates were running against Lukashenko. Core opponents, including the Tell the Truth movement of Vladimir Neklyayev and Belarussian nationalists, plan to call supporters out into the freezing October Square yesterday evening in protest at what they say was heavy vote rigging.
Lukashenko secured more than 80 percent of the vote in 2006. An early exit poll by EcooM, a pro-government research body, yesterday forecast 74.7 percent share of the vote going to Lukashenko.
The 56-year-old former state farm director has ruled the ex-Soviet republic since 1994 and, challenged only by an assortment of disorganised opponents, is poised for a fourth five-year term.
Lukashenko won backing at the 11th hour from Moscow after being vilified on Russian television for weeks and he seems set to continue a policy of playing off Russia against the West.
The conduct of the vote, the margin of Lukashenko's victory, and his handling of opposition protests could decide how far the European Union decides to engage the country of 10 million people on its eastern flank.
The country serves as a buffer between Russia and NATO and a transit route for Russian gas heading to European consumers.
Nine candidates were running against Lukashenko. Core opponents, including the Tell the Truth movement of Vladimir Neklyayev and Belarussian nationalists, plan to call supporters out into the freezing October Square yesterday evening in protest at what they say was heavy vote rigging.
Lukashenko secured more than 80 percent of the vote in 2006. An early exit poll by EcooM, a pro-government research body, yesterday forecast 74.7 percent share of the vote going to Lukashenko.
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