Belarus election protest: Europe calls election a 'complete fraud'
European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper commented on the presidential elections in Belarus scheduled for Sunday, calling them a "complete fraud." She emphasized that this "exercise" cannot be called an election because the outcome is predetermined, making the electoral process merely a facade.
Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, is one of the five candidates running in Sunday’s presidential election. However, the entire process is considered inauthentic due to increasing repression and the lack of fundamental democratic standards. Lukashenko seeks to extend his presidency for a seventh consecutive term.
When asked on Friday about the actions the European Commission plans to take concerning the elections in Belarus, Anitta Hipper stressed that the European Union continues to exert pressure on the regime in Minsk.
In December 2024, the EU decided to impose additional sanctions on Belarus. These sanctions targeted individuals responsible for human rights violations.
"We remain aware of all those unjustly detained political prisoners. We call on the authorities (in Minsk) to release these arbitrarily detained individuals and halt ongoing repression," Hipper said. She added that the EU financially supports civil society in Belarus, granting so far approximately 245 million Canadian dollars.
At the same time, Radio Free Europe reported on the release of eight political prisoners, according to Lukashenko’s decree, as well as seven individuals convicted of drug offences. According to experts, the regime might be trying to send positive signals to the West, aiming to restore even partial legitimacy and normalize relations.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission and member states to increase pressure on the regime in Minsk through further sanctions.
