Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko comments on his potential successor, new term in office

MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) – I hope my successor will continue the country’s steady evolution, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview to TIME Magazine, BelTA has learned.

The reporter noted that the Western media often name the head of state’s youngest son Nikolai as Aleksandr Lukashenko’s potential successor.

“No, he’s not a successor. I knew you’d ask that. No, no, no. You could really offend him by suggesting that,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko assumed that the next president of Belarus might pursue slightly different policies. “I only would like them not tear everything down, but proceed as I did - leaning on the shoulders of the strong, building on what already exists, steadily evolving the country without this destructive revolutionary upheaval. That’s what I want. If they convince society that it needs a different direction, fine, so be it,” the president said.

The head of state was also asked whether he was planning to run for a new term: “No, I am not making any plans now. I am not planning anything. The only thing I’ve thought, yet never voiced, that, well, Trump is nearly 80 and he still looks presentable…”

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