Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko [ c ] also transliterated as Alyaksandr Ryhoravich Lukashenka ; [ d ] born 30 August is a Belarusian politician who has been the first and only president of Belarus since the office's establishment in , [ 7 ] making him the current longest-serving head of state in Europe.
Before embarking on his political career, Lukashenko worked as the director of a state farm sovkhoz and served in both the Soviet Border Troops and the Soviet Army. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union , he assumed the position of head of the interim anti-corruption committee of the Supreme Council of Belarus. In , he won the presidency in the country's inaugural presidential election after the adoption of a new constitution. Lukashenko opposed economic shock therapy during the s post-Soviet transition, maintaining state ownership of key industries in Belarus.
This spared Belarus from recessions as devastating as those in other post-Soviet states and the former Eastern Bloc countries which prevented the rise of oligarchy. Lukashenko's maintenance of the socialist economic model is consistent with the retaining of Soviet-era symbolism , including the Russian language , coat of arms and national flag. These symbols were adopted after a controversial referendum. Subsequent to the same referendum, Lukashenko acquired increased power, including the authority to dismiss the Supreme Council.
Another referendum in further facilitated his consolidation of power. Lukashenko has since presided over an authoritarian government and has been labeled by the media as "Europe's last dictator". The government suppresses opponents and limits media freedom. Such isolation from parts of the West has increased his dependence on Russia , with whom Lukashenko had already maintained close ties despite some disagreements related to trade.
This has been particularly the case following the rise to power of Vladimir Putin , replacing reformist president Boris Yeltsin. Lukashenko played a crucial role in creating the Union State of Russia and Belarus , enabling Belarusians and Russians to travel, work, and study freely between the two countries. He also reportedly played a crucial role in brokering a deal to end the Russian Wagner Group rebellion in , allowing some Wagner soldiers into Belarus.
