On Thursday, roughly 5,000 Belarusian citizens flooded the capital city of Minsk with large scale demonstrations ahead of the August 9 presidential election. Belarusians are hopeful that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya can topple Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian President’s primary political opponent is Tikhanovskaya, 37, who decided to run after her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, was imprisoned in May. Tikhanovskaya has promised to free political prisoners and hold a fair election within six months of taking office.

Multiple protestors could be heard chanting Tikhanovskaya’s name during demonstrations on Thursday.

There is growing optimism that this may the be end for Belarusian dictator Lukashenko, aptly named ‘Europe’s last dictator.’ Although Belarus has a documented history of rigged elections and imprisonment of political oppositionists, Lukashenko may face his biggest challenge yet with declining public confidence in the regime.

For many Belarusians, Lukashenko’s demise has been long in the making with a worsening economic climate, bungled handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a laundry list of political repression.

It has been reported that hundreds of anti-government protestors have been arrested over the last few weeks, pointing to a worn-out dictatorship that is on its last legs fighting to maintain its vice grip over the country.

In addition to domestic turmoil, Lukashenko’s government has also seen relations with its immediate neighbor, Russia, largely sour after disagreements over economic policy. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to interconnect the Belarusian and Russian economies which Lukashenko has vehemently opposed.

One protestor named Anton, 33, said "I think every five years we need a new president, we need new ideas.”

In Belarus, comments such as this have consequences, as do protests, which another protestor pointed out. "It is the first illegal [protest] of this size, it is important to show we are not afraid," said Valery, 31.

While optimism for political change is widespread amongst protestors, there is concern that Lukashenko will manipulate the polls to declare yet another victory. Western nations are watching the upcoming election eagerly, hoping that freedom will finally prevail in Belarus.

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