To renew the dialogue. This is the goal posted on Tuesday by Poland, which declared itself "ready" to conduct a mediation between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the opposition, after Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa, her presidential rival, left the country for the Lithuania.
“Poland is ready to play the role of mediator between the Belarusian opposition and President Lukashenko. There is still room for dialogue, ”Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said in Riga.
Criticisms and "serious doubts"
The Belarusian authorities officially announced on Monday the landslide victory - with 80.23% of the vote - of Alexander Lukashenko for a sixth term, after a presidential election marked by strong suspicions of irregularities, the opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa being credited with just under 10% of the vote. A score rejected in the wake by the candidate who asked the president given the winner to cede power.
But, as of Monday morning, Germany, through the voice of Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesperson, expressed "serious doubts concerning the conduct and democratic nature of this vote". “The minimum democratic criteria for an election have not been met,” added Steffen Seibert.
Repression and demonstrations
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen condemned the repression and demanded an “exact” count of the votes cast. “Harassment and violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe. I call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that the votes in yesterday's (Sunday) election are counted and published accurately, ”she said.
President Alexander Lukashenko told him that the demonstrations, violently repressed against his controversial re-election, were "remote-controlled" from abroad, insisting that he will not let his country be "torn to pieces".
World
Belarus: Police disperse further protests, one dead
World
Belarus: Outgoing President Lukashenko wins presidential election with 80.23% of the vote
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