Belarus’s Ruling Party Rallies for Lukashenko’s 2030 Campaign

In a clear signal of long-term political strategy, Belarus’s ruling party, ‘Belaya Rus,’ held a congress over the weekend, anointing a new leader and pledging to serve as the primary political force supporting President Alexander Lukashenko in the 2030 presidential election. The event, attended by top government officials, underscores a concerted effort to consolidate power and prepare the political landscape for years to come.

The party elected Olga Chemodanova as its new chairperson. Her background is significant: a police colonel who served as the press secretary for the Ministry of Internal Affairs during the turbulent 2020 protests, she later became the head of ideological work for the Minsk city administration. In her address, Chemodanova dismissed any notion of an “electoral respite,” calling for intensive work to emerge as the country’s leading political force by 2029 and to become “the political pillar of our national leader” for the 2030 campaign, a statement made despite Lukashenko not having officially announced his candidacy.

The congress received strong endorsements from the state’s highest echelons. Natalia Kochanova, the Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic, praised the party’s growth to 68,000 members in two years, affirming that its members are people who “want to do everything from the heart to support the system that exists in our country.” Her presence signaled the party’s integral role within the state apparatus.

Further setting a confrontational tone, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Vladimir Pertsov warned attendees of emerging threats. He claimed that “pseudo-patriotic cells,” funded from abroad, were mimicking patriotic movements with the aim of implementing “destructive political plans” during the next electoral cycle in 2029-2030, reinforcing the government’s narrative of constant external pressure.

This party-political maneuvering coincides with Lukashenko’s direct actions to tighten his grip on the state bureaucracy. On Monday, he approved 15 new appointments to local executive bodies, delivering a stern message for them to act decisively. “Get to work! Don’t sit and wait for someone to come and do something for you,” he instructed, warning that inaction would not be forgiven by the people.

Ultimately, ‘Belaya Rus’ is being positioned for a dual role beyond simple electoral support. Chemodanova outlined a mission to go to the people to “explain the correctness” of government decisions, even unpopular ones, and to preempt negative public reactions. In a political environment devoid of opposition parties and independent media, the party is being fashioned into a crucial instrument for the regime to manage public opinion and ensure its stability for the foreseeable future.