New election a possibility after crowds dispute Belarusian leader’s 26-year rule

President Alexander Lukashenko has flagged the possibility of holding new elections after protests and strikes erupted following his re-election on August 9. The long-standing leader has been in power for 26 years. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania last week following the election results and continued to urge protesters to participate in anti-government rallies. Britain along with the political opposition in Belarus have refused to accept the election result, claiming the result fraudulent. As tensions escalate, surrounding nations are concerned President Lukashenko will involve Russia, a close ally of the current Belarusian administration, in the conflict.