{"id":1146,"date":"2020-08-20T16:17:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T16:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessner.com\/?p=1146"},"modified":"2022-03-25T19:21:59","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T19:21:59","slug":"eu-rejects-belarus-election-results-calls-for-peaceful-transition-of-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessner.com\/eu-rejects-belarus-election-results-calls-for-peaceful-transition-of-power\/","title":{"rendered":"EU Rejects Belarus Election Results, Calls for Peaceful Transition of Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Union has rejected the results of the recent Belarus presidential polls\u00a0 re-electing President Alexander Lukashenko claiming it was \u2018neither free nor fair.\u2019<\/p>\n

In a joint video conference<\/a> on Wednesday (August 19), both European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued strong calls for a peaceful transition of power in Belarus.<\/p>\n

Members of the European Council discussed the situation in Belarus following the August 9 elections and expressed that the recently held polls were \u201cneither free nor fair.\u2019<\/p>\n

European Council President Charles Michel said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe do not accept the results presented by the Belarus authorities. The people of Belarus have the right to choose their leaders and shape their future.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

See Related Story: <\/strong>EU Leaders Pressure Belarus Officials with Fresh Sanctions<\/a><\/p>\n

Michel stressed the protests were never about geopolitics as it is about a national process of people wanting to elect their future and determine their fate.<\/p>\n

EU Council members also condemned the disproportionate and unacceptable violence displayed by the state authorities against peaceful protesters.<\/p>\n

To date,\u00a0 three people were declared dead as a result of the protests and hundreds were injured after violent protests erupted in various parts of the country particularly in the capital Minsk.<\/p>\n

EU to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for Belarus violence<\/h2>\n

The EU official said The EU will shortly impose sanctions on a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression of peaceful protest, and falsification of election results.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe call on the Belarusian authorities to find a peaceful way out of the crisis by ending the violence, de-escalating tensions, and launching an inclusive national dialogue,\u201d Michel said.<\/p>\n

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the past 10 days since the elections, the people of Belarus have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers.<\/p>\n

EC President Ursula von der Leyen said:<\/p>\n

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\"\"\u201cToday, we give them three clear messages. Firstly, we stand by the people of Belarus, who want fundamental freedoms and democracy. Secondly, we will sanction all those responsible for violence, repression, and falsification of the results of the election. The people of Belarus took peacefully to the streets and the authorities answered with violence, and this cannot be accepted. Thirdly, we are ready to accompany the peaceful democratic transition of power in Belarus.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The European Commission official highlighted the support the EU has been extending to Belarus through the Eastern Partnership but stressed it is about time to reprogram money away from authorities to civil society.<\/p>\n

The EU also pledged support to the Belarusian people:<\/p>\n