Two opposition candidates won seats in the Belarusian parliament for the first time in 20 years, raising hopes that relations will warm further between the West and the authoritarian government of President Alexander Lukashenko.
Following Sunday’s vote, Belarus election officials announced early Monday that Anna Konopatskaya from the United Civil Party and Elena Anisim, an independent candidate with ties to the opposition, both won in their districts — the first time non-government candidates have done this since 1996.
But there is zero chance that the newly elected 110-seat legislature could now become a springboard for any threat to Lukashenko’s 22-year hold on …read more
Source: POLITICO – Europe Edition
