Brussels (dpa) – The EU Foreign Representative Kaja Kallas has condemned the presidential election in Belarus on Sunday as a “mock election” and a “disgrace to democracy.” She criticized the long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 30 years, for preparing to declare himself the winner in yet another manipulated election, stating on the platform X: “This is a blatant affront to democracy.” She affirmed that Lukashenko lacks legitimacy.
Lukashenko is aiming for his seventh term in the upcoming election in the authoritarian former Soviet republic. State media reported exit polls on Sunday evening claiming that the 70-year-old had secured 87.6 percent of the vote.
In the last election in 2020, many observers believed that his opponent, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, had actually won. However, Lukashenko announced that he had received 80 percent of the votes. Tikhanovskaya, along with numerous other opposition leaders, was forced to flee abroad amidst the violent crackdown on protests.
When asked about the EU’s decision not to recognize the elections, Lukashenko remarked, “Whether or not they acknowledge these elections is a matter of taste. I don’t care at all.” He also stated that he would stay in power as long as he has the support of his inner circle, citing a sense of responsibility. (January 26)
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