I’ve reported on many elections.I’ve noticed high ministers and presidents roll up at polling stations, solid ballots after which take a couple of questions from journalists.However I’ve by no means noticed the rest reasonably just like the scene at Polling Station 478 in Minsk.Lengthy-time chief of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, as soon as dubbed “Europe’s final dictator”, arrived to solid his poll. Then, whilst Belarusians had been nonetheless vote casting, candidate Lukashenko gave a four-and-a-half hour press convention live to tell the tale state TV.It used to be a possibility to quiz him at the arguable vote which his critics have denounced as “a sham”.”What wretched query have you ever ready for me?” he requested. “Such as you at all times do.””Just right morning,” I answered.”Just right morning, Steve.””How are you able to name this a democratic election, when your primary opponents are both in jail or in exile?” I requested.”Some are in jail, and a few are in exile. However you’re right here!” mentioned Lukashenko.”Everybody has the best to select. This is democracy. Some selected jail, others selected exile. We by no means compelled someone in a foreign country.”In truth, it used to be the government’ brutal crackdown on protesters after the 2020 presidential election that resulted in Alexander Lukashenko’s staunchest combatants both being jailed or pushed into political exile. Non-public selection didn’t come into it.”You mentioned just lately ‘We should not close folks’s mouths’ [silence people],” I reminded him. “However your opponents have not simply been saved off the poll. A few of them had been jailed. There are recently greater than 1,200 political prisoners in Belarus. Is not it time to open the jail cells and free up them? Other people like Maria Kolesnikova, Sergei Tikhanovsky…””You stay happening about Maria to me. My God,” Lukashenko sighed.”OK, I will solution your query…Jail is for individuals who have opened their mouths too extensive and who’ve damaged the legislation. Do not you could have prisons in Britain and The us?””In any nation, when you spoil the legislation, you should endure the results,” he persisted. “The legislation is strict however it’s the legislation. I did not invent it. You wish to have to abide by means of it.””You wish to have to abide by means of the legislation,” I interjected. “However those individuals are in jail for criticising you.””Lack of understanding of the legislation does now not absolve you of duty prior to it.”The BBC’s Steve Rosenberg experiences: “The chief of Belarus faces no severe problem on this election”Even if distinguished opposition figures weren’t allowed to run, Alexander Lukashenko’s title used to be now not the one one at the poll. There have been 4 different applicants. However they got here throughout extra like spoilers than severe challengers.”We spoke to probably the most different applicants,” I instructed Lukashenko. “One in every of them, the Communist Birthday party chief, overtly helps you. Every other is stuffed with reward for you. It is a abnormal election, is not it, with combatants like this…””Steve, it is a entire new revel in for you!” he answered, to laughter and applause from native reporters within the room.”That is true,” I mentioned. “I have never noticed an election like this prior to.””The Communists’ coverage in line with justice is similar coverage that we are selling,” argued Lukashenko. “So why would they vote towards me?”The Eu Union’s overseas coverage leader Kaja Kallas has characterized this presidential election in Belarus as a “blatant affront to democracy”.Now not that Alexander Lukashenko turns out to care.”I swear to you,” he instructed me, “I could not care much less whether or not you recognise our election or whether or not you do not. A very powerful factor for me is that the folk of Belarus recognise it.”
