Alexander Lukashenko has secured another term as Belarus’ president, declaring an election victory with 86.8% of the vote in a context of alleged electoral fraud. The EU and opposition leaders dismissed the election as a sham, calling it a farce with no credible challengers permitted, and threatened new sanctions. Over 1,200 political prisoners remain detained, and despite releasing 250 since July, the regime continues to crack down on dissent. Lukashenko’s continued leadership is backed by Putin and criticized by Western nations, marking a significant moment in Belarus' long-standing authoritarian landscape.