Lukashenko to decide himself whether to run for re-election - spokesperson

MINSK. June 28 (Interfax) - Press secretary for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Natalya Eismont was unable to give a precise answer to a question asked on air of the Belarus-1 state-run television channel as to whether Lukashenko would run for re-election in 2025.

"The decision is, naturally, up to the president. And he, as it always happens, will tell about it himself at the right time, when he makes this decision and when he sees fit," Eismont said.

At the same time, many people are trying to persuade Lukashenko to run for president, she said. "We really want it. Moreover, we insist that it be so. 'We' is used in the broad sense of the word. Of course, it's not only those who work with the president, it is all our people. There are millions of us, it is true," Eismont said.

The presidential elections will take place in Belarus in 2025 for the seventh time in its history. Lukashenko has been in office since 1994.