The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance
as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy

J 2025

The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy

KALAVUR, Andrei a Jan HOLZER

Základní údaje

Originální název

The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy

Autoři

KALAVUR, Andrei a Jan HOLZER

Vydání

Journal of Belarusian Studies, Brill, 2025, 0075-4161

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

50601 Political science

Stát vydavatele

Velká Británie a Severní Irsko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sociálních studií

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30965/20526512-BJA10024

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-105003297809

Klíčová slova anglicky

Authoritarianism; elections; mass media; communication strategy; Critical Discourse Analysis

Štítky

14231013, 14235040, EV_FSS25, online first

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

Změněno: 22. 12. 2025 20:07, Mgr. Andrei Kalavur

Anotace

V originále

Research on Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s communication strategy shows that the ‘performance of crisis’ was a key pillar in his 2020 presidential campaign strategy, with content analysis illuminating populist elements such as tipping points and stigmatisation. The politician actively disseminated the idea of existential threats to sow fear and foster an image of strength, primarily targeting siloviki and incumbents. For the first time, his election campaign predominantly focused on visiting special forces bases and consolidation of the “power vertical”, rather than ordinary campaigning. Herein, several reasons for such a switch are explored, including the electoral majority’s lack of demand for strong leadership. Rather than adapting his communication strategy, Lukashenka consolidated the “power vertical” structure to prevent a schism among the political elite. This division, which resulted in a populist, pro-authoritarian camp and a democratic camp, led to the ongoing political crisis. This article serves as a retrospective overview and analytical lens for the upcoming 2025 presidential election in Belarus.

Návaznosti

MUNI/A/1550/2024, interní kód MU

Název: Aktuální problémy politologického výzkumu XI.

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Aktuální problémy politologického výzkumu XI.

Citovat

KALAVUR, Andrei a Jan HOLZER. The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy. Journal of Belarusian Studies. Brill, 2025, roč. 14, 1-2, s. 34–62. ISSN 0075-4161. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.30965/20526512-BJA10024.

@article{2472026,
   author = {Kalavur, Andrei and Holzer, Jan},
   article_number = {1-2},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.30965/20526512-BJA10024},
   keywords = {Authoritarianism; elections; mass media; communication strategy; Critical Discourse Analysis},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0075-4161},
   journal = {Journal of Belarusian Studies},
   title = {The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy},
   volume = {14},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2472026
AU  - Kalavur, Andrei - Holzer, Jan
PY  - 2025
TI  - The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy
JF  - Journal of Belarusian Studies
VL  - 14
IS  - 1-2
SP  - 34–62
EP  - 34–62
PB  - Brill
SN  - 00754161
KW  - Authoritarianism
KW  - elections
KW  - mass media
KW  - communication strategy
KW  - Critical Discourse Analysis
N2  - Research on Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s communication strategy shows that the ‘performance of crisis’ was a key pillar in his 2020 presidential campaign strategy, with content analysis illuminating populist elements such as tipping points and stigmatisation. The politician actively disseminated the idea of existential threats to sow fear and foster an image of strength, primarily targeting siloviki and incumbents. For the first time, his election campaign predominantly focused on visiting special forces bases and consolidation of the “power vertical”, rather than ordinary campaigning. Herein, several reasons for such a switch are explored, including the electoral majority’s lack of demand for strong leadership. Rather than adapting his communication strategy, Lukashenka consolidated the “power vertical” structure to prevent a schism among the political elite. This division, which resulted in a populist, pro-authoritarian camp and a democratic camp, led to the ongoing political crisis. This article serves as a retrospective overview and analytical lens for the upcoming 2025 presidential election in Belarus.
ER  -

KALAVUR, Andrei a Jan HOLZER. The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Campaign : Crisis Performance as a Pillar of Lukashenka’s Communication Strategy. \textit{Journal of Belarusian Studies}. Brill, 2025, roč.~14, 1-2, s.~34–62. ISSN~0075-4161. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.30965/20526512-BJA10024.

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