Fictitious and deprived of legitimacy: the European Commission has spoken out about Lukashenko's “elections” in Belarus

Fictitious and deprived of legitimacy: the European Commission has spoken out about Lukashenko's “elections” in Belarus Vladislav Kravtsov

On January 26, the so-called presidential elections were held in Belarus, where, according to the exit poll, Alexander Lukashenko “won”. The European Commission called this “vote” fictitious and devoid of legitimacy.

This was reported by 24 Kanal with reference to a joint statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

How the European Commission commented on the “elections” in Belarus

Kallas and Kos said the sham elections in Belarus were neither free nor fair. And the ruthless and unprecedented crackdown on human rights, restrictions on citizen participation in political life and access to independent media in Belarus have deprived the country's electoral process of any legitimacy.

The Lukashenko regime's decision to invite the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights only 10 days before the elections made it impossible for this independent body to access key stages of the electoral process. This is further evidence of the complete lack of confidence in these elections, the statement said.

The European Commission representatives stressed that for these reasons, as well as because of the Belarusian regime's participation in Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and its hybrid attacks against its neighbours, the EU will continue to impose restrictive and targeted measures against the Lukashenko regime. At the same time, the EU will provide financial support to civil society, Belarusian democratic forces in exile and Belarusian culture.

“As soon as Belarus embarks on the path of democratic transformation, the EU is ready to support the country in stabilizing its economy and reforming institutions,” Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos summarized.

They also stressed that the EU is on the side of the Belarusian people and supports their aspiration for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus, as part of a peaceful and prosperous Europe, and is unwavering.

The German Foreign Ministry also spoke about the Belarusian “elections”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock noted in a note on the social network X that people in Belarus had no choice in the “elections”. She emphasized that instead of free, fair elections, as well as a life without fear and arbitrariness, Belarusians experience oppression, repression, and human rights violations on a daily basis.

More than 1,200 people in Belarus remain imprisoned simply because they had the courage to speak out against. We do not forget them. All political prisoners must be released, and brutal repression must stop, – Baerbock wrote.

She also noted the courage of the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and the brave Belarusians, who command deep respect in Germany.

According to Baerbock, this shows how important the fight for democracy is in Europe. The German minister also stressed that “the European family keeps its doors open – for a democratic and free Belarus.”