EU Leaders Condemn Belarus Election Results
No Additional Measures Beyond Sanctions
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The European Union (EU) has stated that it will not recognize the Belarus presidential election. It also expressed its intention to impose sanctions on those responsible for the fraudulent election and the subsequent harsh crackdown on protests. However, the EU leaders urged for a resolution within Belarus itself rather than external intervention, drawing a line against active involvement beyond sanctions.
On the 19th (local time), Charles Michel, President of the EU Council, criticized the Belarus presidential election results, in which incumbent President Aleksandr Lukashenko recorded a landslide victory, saying, "It was neither free nor fair." He stated, "We will take measures to impose sanctions and revoke immunity on many of those involved in the fraudulent election and the violent suppression of protests that followed."
Earlier, the leaders of the 27 EU member states discussed the unrest following the Belarus election through a video conference.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said, "There is no doubt that there was massive fraud," and added, "The Belarusian people must have the right to choose their future."
Although they expressed their intention not to recognize the election results and to impose sanctions, foreign media reported that the overall tone emphasized a resolution within Belarus itself. In fact, Chancellor Merkel stated, "Belarus must find its own path."
Additionally, the EU leaders did not take specific actions such as demanding President Lukashenko’s resignation or calling for measures beyond the sanctions discussed by EU foreign ministers last week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously expressed opposition to Western countries’ intervention in the Belarus situation during phone calls with Chancellor Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and President Michel. Because of this, the EU countries, which had taken a hard stance, refrained from actively intervening in the Belarus situation, seemingly influenced to some extent by President Putin’s warning.
Before the EU summit, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the opposition candidate in this election, demanded a rerun through a video message. She stated, "The election was neither honest nor transparent, and Lukashenko, who officially won the election, has lost all legitimacy in the eyes of our people and the world." In this regard, she proposed holding new elections through a national coordination council.
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