LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko
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For years, Russia and Belarus have been bound together by Moscow's provision of cheap energy in return for political loyalty. But the Kremlin appears to have tired of subsidizing Lukashenko, whose government could face an economic crisis brought on by higher energy costs.
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Under Lukashenko’s 12 year rule, political repressions in Belarus have been rampant. From 1999-2001, several of Lukahsenko’s political opponents disappeared under mysterious circumstances and their bodies have never been found. Following international pressure, the high-profile disappearances stopped and Lukahsenko resorted to arresting and jailing anyone he deemed as a challenge to his rule. For example, former presidential candidate Aleksander Kozulin is currently serving a five-and-a-half year prison sentence for his participation in the March 2006 elections.
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Before the 1994 elections, two events occurred that shaped Belarus forever. First, Shushkevich was ousted by a vote of no-confidence and replaced by a Kyebich ally, Myechyslaw Hryb. In March of that year, a national constitution was adopted, which replaced the office of prime minister with that of a president. With the first round of elections for president, the two candidates for the office were Kyebich and Alexander Lukashenko, who campaigned on a plan to rid the government of corruption. In the second round in July, Lukashenko was declared the winner with over 80% of the vote.[20] Since that election, Lukashenko has held the office of president, being reelected in 2001 and in 2006.
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Alexander Lukashenko