Belarusian President Lukashenko Says Presidency Is a “Man’s Job”

Belarusian President Lukashenko Says Presidency Is a “Man’s Job”

Alexander Lukashenko, often dubbed Europe’s last dictator, has declared that the presidency is not suited for women, citing the job’s intensity in Belarus compared to countries like the United States.

“God forbid that a woman is elected in Belarus,” Lukashenko told journalists on Thursday, claiming the presidency in his nation is “the hardest work” and not a burden to be placed on women.

Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994 and is seeking another term in the January 26 presidential election, dismissed the notion of gender equality in leadership. “A woman should be a woman,” he said, adding, “I admire women, but they should be there for us to lean on.”

The comments appear to allude to his 2020 presidential rival, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko after her husband, a prominent opposition figure, was jailed.

Tsikhanouskaya became a symbol of Belarus’s pro-democracy movement, which spurred widespread protests against Lukashenko’s rule. However, those demonstrations were violently suppressed with Russian backing.

Now living in exile, Tsikhanouskaya condemned Lukashenko’s re-election bid, calling it a “sham” carried out under an atmosphere of fear. She continues to advocate for democratic reforms in Belarus.

Meanwhile, Lukashenko defended his near-total control, stating, “A person by nature must have basic qualities that will be useful to him as president,” asserting that leadership is an innate trait rather than a learnt skill.

In January, Lukashenko further consolidated his power by enacting laws granting him lifelong immunity and privileges upon leaving office, cementing his grip on the country even beyond his tenure.

His remarks have sparked criticism internationally, highlighting Belarus’s ongoing struggles with democracy and gender equality.