Belarus elections slammed by EU as '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, rendering the electoral process merely a facade.
The self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is, in fact, one of the five candidates running in Sunday’s presidential election. However, in the context of increasing repression and the lack of fundamental democratic standards, the entire election procedure is considered inauthentic. Lukashenko is seeking 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, having granted $180 million so far.
At the same time, Radio Free Europe reported on the release of eight political prisoners according to Lukashenko’s decree, along with seven individuals convicted of drug offenses. According to experts, such moves by the regime might be an attempt to send positive signals toward the West to restore even partial legitimacy and normalization of 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.
