Belarus is one of those countries where time seems to have stood still. Its politics are dominated by a Cold War mentality totally at odds with the 21st century. Its secret police is still called the KGB.
President Alexander Lukashenko claims he has scored a resounding 82.6 per cent victory over three challengers on an extraordinary turnout of 92 per cent. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe insists the election did not meet democratic standards.
It is difficult to comprehend that this type of behaviour is taking place in Europe so long after the fall of the Berlin Wall. There are similarities to the upheavals in Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, those Orange, Rose and Tulip revolutions which overthrew old Soviet-style regimes. But Lukashenko shows little sign of changing.
Russia believes the Belarus government is an ally and buffer zone to Nato but no cause is served by a widely condemned election.