Lawmakers in Belarus on Wednesday set the next presidential election for Jan. 26, a vote almost certain to extend the three-decade rule of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who has suppressed all political dissent.

Authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko expected to extend his term through election opposition call a "farce".View on euronews

Belarus has scheduled its next presidential election for January 26, 2025, the country’s Central Electoral Commission announced on Oct. 23. Incumbent Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko is widely expected to hold on to power following the election's result.

Belarus will hold a presidential election on January 26, four and a half years after widespread allegations of vote rigging in the last ballot led to nationwide mass protests.

Belarus will hold its next presidential election on Jan. 26, the country's Central Election Commission announced Wednesday. Belarus, a key ally of Russia, has been ruled since 1994 by President Alexander Lukashenko.