"A 'successor' Like That To Lukashenko Could End Very Badly"

29.10.2026, 11:31
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You wouldn't envy a Turk.

Prime Minister Alexander Turchin’s recent activities— — participation in negotiations with the U.S. and a visit to a military training ground — may indicate that Alexander Lukashenko is carefully grooming him as his successor, said “Belsat”, political analyst Yuri Drakokhrust stated.

“The fact that Turchin went there (to a military training ground—Editor’s note, “Belsat”) and is taking part in meetings—at least regarding negotiations with the Americans—may indeed indicate that Lukashenko is carefully, cautiously, but in a certain sense, is positioning Turchin as a potential successor,” noted Yuri Drakokhrust.

He noted that he cannot recall prime ministers participating in events of this kind in the past. However, the expert adds a caveat: “One swallow does not make a spring”—we need to wait and see if this turns into a trend:

“If during international trips it is always Turchin, and not someone else, who is by Lukashenko’s side, then we can conclude that, yes, Lukashenko is grooming a successor.”

“Although I would say that Turchin’s position isn’t exactly enviable, because authoritarian systems are such that today you’re the successor, and tomorrow, perhaps, you’re not. Mao Zedong had two such successors—Liu Shaoqi and Lin Biao. Both met a very tragic end and, in fact, never became his successors,” added Yuri Drakokhrust.

The analyst also mentioned Viktor Lukashenko, who was appointed his father’s aide on security matters: “Some thought: he’s promoting him, grooming him as a successor. But just as he was an aide, he slipped away from the ranks of aides.”

“The same could be true for Turchin: today he’s on the rise, and tomorrow he could fall from grace,” added Drakokhrust.

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