European aspirations to democratize Belarus have been thwarted as confrontation between police and protesters has escalated as a result of elections and the subsequent crackdown on opposition activists. Tensions between the EU and Belarus have reached a level not seen since the last presidential election of 2006. Belarus is the only country in Europe who has an authoritarian at the helm. President Lukashenko has been in power since the summer of 1994 and has ever since been carrying out his political agenda and continuing his grip on power. Since 1996, President Lukashenko has changed his country's constitution granting himself unlimited powers. Belarus foreign policy is generally oriented towards Russia, some other ex-Soviet bloc republics, and the developing world. Although Belarus appears to be participating in many European structures, the EU's strength in Belarus continues to weaken as its ambitions to bring about democratising change are failing. As a result, President Lukashenko remains impervious to EU criticism and sanctions.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12170286
Dennie Whitlow
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