Lukashenko’s spokeswoman Natalya Eismont confirmed that the country’s leader personally assisted the girl with her preparations for beauty contests. Online commentators and local media noted that after moderate success as a beauty contestant, he now seemed determined to help her with a political career. Opposition politicians have criticised that anybody approved by Lukashenko is assured of a place in the country’s parliament. As a result they say that her success in the upcoming elections is almost guaranteed.
