Belarusian chief and Russian ally Alexander Lukashenko prolonged his 31-year rule on Monday (Jan 27) after electoral officers declared him the winner of a presidential election that Western governments rejected as a sham.
Lukashenko, who confronted no critical problem from the 4 different candidates on the poll, took 86.8 per cent of the vote, in accordance with preliminary outcomes.
European politicians mentioned the vote was neither free nor honest as a result of unbiased media are banned within the former Soviet republic and all main opposition figures have both been jailed or compelled to flee overseas.
“The individuals of Belarus had no alternative. It’s a bitter day for all those that lengthy for freedom & democracy,” German International Minister Annalena Baerbock posted on X.
Exiled opposition chief Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya referred to as for an enlargement of Western sanctions in opposition to Belarusian firms and people concerned in repressing opponents of Lukashenko and supplying munitions for Russia’s battle effort in Ukraine.
“So long as Belarus is beneath Lukashenko and Putin’s management, there might be a continuing menace to the peace and safety of the complete area,” she mentioned.
EU international affairs chief Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos mentioned in an announcement the bloc would preserve imposing “restrictive and focused measures in opposition to the regime” whereas supporting civic society and the exiled opposition.
“DON’T GIVE A DAMN”
Requested concerning the jailing of his opponents, Lukashenko mentioned on Sunday that they’d “chosen” their very own destiny. He denied that his choice to launch greater than 250 individuals convicted of “extremist” exercise was a message to the West with the intention to search an easing of his isolation.
“I do not give a rattling concerning the West,” he informed a rambling information convention that lasted effectively over 4 hours.
“We now have by no means refused relations with the West. We now have at all times been prepared. However you don’t want this. So what ought to we do, bow earlier than you or crawl on our knees?”
