Profile
Alexander Lukashenka: The Long-Ruling President of Belarus
Belarusian politician and president since 1994, born on 30 August 1954
Lukashenka comes from Kopys, a village in Soviet Belarus, where he was born on 30 August 1954. He studied history and agricultural economics.
He served in the Soviet Border Troops and later ran a state farm. Elected to the Belarusian parliament in 1990, he became known as an anti-corruption campaigner.
He won the presidency in 1994 and has remained in power ever since. The disputed 2020 election sparked the largest protests in the country's history, followed by arrests and sanctions from Western countries.
Career highlights
- 1954Born in Kopys, Belarus
- 1975Military service: in the Soviet Border Troops
- 1987Runs a state farm: near Shklov
- 1990Elected to parliament
- 1994Elected president: in Belarus's first presidential election
- 1996Referendum: expands presidential powers
- 2020Disputed election: sparks mass protests
- 2022Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Belarusian territory is used by Russian forces
Did you know?He likes to be seen playing ice hockey and has taken part in televised amateur matches.
