Lukashenko, an ex-collective farm boss from the Soviet era, who has been dubbed “Europe’s last dictator”, has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994. Opposition politicians are harshly punished for organising protests against the regime. Results published on Monday showed not a single opposition candidate had won a seat in a weekend parliamentary election — although Ms Vasilevich, who has no experience and didn’t even campaign has won a seat as an MP. In recent months, she has been spotted with Lukashenko on many occasions. Together the couple, who have a 43 year age gap, have attended ice hockey matches, state-run arts festivals and the 2018 World Cup in Moscow. They have danced together at a New Year’s ball in the capital Minsk which was broadcast on national TV.
