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Long-term authoritarian head of state Alexander Lukashenko was introduced to the president’s office for the sixth time in Belarus. Surprisingly, the 66-year-old was sworn in on Wednesday morning. State media reported in Minsk. The inauguration happened without warning. The ceremony is usually announced days in advance as a major state event.
Lukashenko put his right hand on the constitution and swore in Belarusian. Then the head of the electoral commission, Lidija Jermoschine, gave him the official certificate.
There have been protests and strikes against Lukashenko in Belarus since the presidential elections in August. The head of state, who has been in power for 26 years, once again declared himself the winner with 80.1 percent under conditions that were again unfair and not free. Since then, there have been several deaths, hundreds of injuries and more than 10,000 arrests. The democratic movement in Belarus sees opposition Svetlana Tichanowskaya as the winner of the presidential elections. Lukashenko refused to resign and threatened to use the army to secure power.
“Last dictator of Europe”
Russia provides political and financial support to Lukashenko, who has been described as the “last dictator in Europe.” The EU, on the other hand, did not recognize the choice and intends to impose sanctions on some 40 representatives of the regime. Yesterday, the EU Foreign Affairs representative, Josep Borrell, again clearly denied Lukashenko, 66, the right to the presidency. It was a “pseudo-inauguration,” Borrell wrote in a blog post: “Mr. Lukashenko has lost all legitimacy.”
Political scientist Valery Karbelevich told the German press agency in Minsk that the inauguration was scheduled as a secret operation, showing once again that the power apparatus fears popular protests that do not recognize the August 9 electoral victory. According to the constitution, the inauguration had to take place within two months after the presidential election, that is, no later than October 9. (apa)
