Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during his swearing-in, September 23, 2020. -
Maxim Guchek / AP / SIPA
The European Union refuses to recognize Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus despite his unexpected swearing in, pointing to his "lack of any democratic legitimacy", and "reexamines its relations" with Minsk, the head of European diplomacy said on Thursday. Josep Borrell.
The August 9 election “was neither free nor fair.
The EU does not recognize falsified results.
As a result, the so-called "swearing in" of September 23 and the new mandate Alexander Lukashenko claims has no democratic legitimacy, "said Josep Borrell in a statement.
A secret ceremony
Alexander Lukashenko, whose re-election is hotly contested by massive protests, was unexpectedly sworn in on Wednesday in a ceremony that was only made public afterwards.
The announcement immediately sparked a new opposition demonstration in Minsk, suppressed by dozens of arrests.
"This 'taking of the oath' directly contradicts the will of large sections of the Belarusian population, expressed in numerous peaceful and unprecedented demonstrations (...) and it will only worsen the political crisis" in the country, said Josep. Borrell.
"In view of the current situation, the EU is reviewing its relations with Belarus," he added without further details.
The EU has prepared sanctions against around 40 people found responsible for the crackdown and is also considering sanctioning Alexander Lukashenko, diplomatic sources have learned.
Sanction or mediation?
But 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 Alexander Lukashenko for allowing mediation by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) which will be chaired by Sweden, the same sources added.
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 and violence against the people of Belarus and to immediately and unconditionally release all those who have been arrested" as part of the protests, said Josep Borrell said on Thursday, calling for "new democratic elections" in the country.
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