Despite his unexpected swearing in, the European Union refuses to recognize Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus, said Thursday, September 24, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. 

"The August 9 election was neither free nor fair. The EU does not recognize the falsified results. As a result, the so-called 'oath taking' of September 23 and the new mandate Alexander Lukashenko claims no 'have no democratic legitimacy [and] directly contradict the will of large sections of the Belarusian population, "said the representative of European diplomacy in a statement, adding that" in view of the current situation, the EU is re-examining ] its relations with Belarus ".

Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in Wednesday for a sixth term at the head of Belarus despite the challenge of his re-election.

"He took the oath in the Belarusian language, after which he signed the swearing-in act, and then the president of the Election Commission […] handed him the certificate of President of the Republic of Belarus," he said. website of the presidency.

Dissent within the EU

The announcement immediately sparked a new opposition demonstration in Minsk, suppressed by dozens of arrests.

The EU has prepared sanctions against around 40 people found responsible for the repression and is also considering sanctioning Alexander Lukashenko.

But the unanimity of the member states is required, and Cyprus makes its agreement conditional on the adoption of measures to force Turkey to cease its gas drilling in the waters of its economic zone.

Two states, Sweden and Finland, refuse to sanction the current president to allow mediation of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) which will be chaired by Sweden.

The issue will be discussed at the summit of European leaders on October 1 and 2 in Brussels.

"We reiterate that we expect the Belarusian authorities to refrain from any further repression or violence against the people of Belarus and to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested" in connection with the protests, he said. Josep Borrell on Thursday, calling for "new democratic elections" in the country.

>> See also on France 24: THE INTERVIEW - Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa, head of the Belarusian opposition: "We want a new country"

Alexander Lukashenko has been confronted since the presidential election of August 9 with an unprecedented challenge, tens of thousands of people taking to the streets every Sunday in Minsk to denounce his re-election deemed fraudulent, and this despite the repression of the movement.

In the first days, the demonstrations were put down very violently and thousands of people were arrested. 

Opposition figures have either been imprisoned or forced into exile in recent weeks, such as candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

This newbie in politics, who galvanized the crowds during the electoral campaign, claims victory in the ballot.

With AFP

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