Lukashenko not ruling out resigning his post as president of Belarus

MINSK. Aug 12 (Interfax) - Belarusians should accept the idea that their country may soon have a different president, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on a trip to the Shklov district on Saturday.

"I already begin saying publicly to you all: you must get used (I have spoiled you a bit) to having a different president," Lukashenko was quoted by the SB-Belarus Today state news outlet as saying.

He reassured local residents that he was not going to abandon them tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. "In life anything can happen. You must get used to the fact that, just like all of you, I am not eternal," Lukashenko said.

Before he goes, he would like to make sure that he bequeaths a calm and peaceful country to the Belarusians, the president said.

"When I am gone and live somewhere in a village next to you, you will reminisce and be grateful that it has not gotten worse," Lukashenko said.

In 2025 Belarus is due to hold its seventh presidential election. All previous ones were won by Lukashenko.