The ceremony accelerated EU plans to boycott Lukashenko following the disputed August 9 election, because the European Parliament had earlier determined to not acknowledge the veteran chief from November, when his time period as president was on account of finish.
“The so-called ‘inauguration’ … and the brand new mandate claimed by Alexander Lukashenko lack any democratic legitimacy,” the EU’s 27 states mentioned in an announcement.
“This ‘inauguration’ instantly contradicts the need of enormous components of the Belarusian inhabitants, as expressed in quite a few, unprecedented and peaceable protests for the reason that elections, and serves to solely additional deepen the political disaster in Belarus.”
The EU, a big monetary donor to Belarus, additionally mentioned it was “reviewing its relations” with the nation, that means the bloc would search to chop off direct funding to Lukashenko’s authorities, channeling it to help teams and hospitals as a substitute.
Earlier than the election, the EU had dedicated to spend 135 million euros on tasks in Belarus and has additionally pledged 53 million euros for the battle towards the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opposition chief Svetlana Tikhanovskaya mentioned with EU overseas ministers on Monday in Brussels methods to bypass state administration to help medical doctors and hospitals.
“I requested Europe to not help financially the regime. All the cash Mr. Lukashenko can get now won’t go to help the Belarusian individuals however will go for these repressions,” she advised reporters, referring to the pro-democracy crackdown.
