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The nation’s state press service launched photos of the unannounced ceremony, which occurred within the capital, Minsk, on Wednesday.
The embattled Belarusian president assumed workplace throughout a ceremony at Minsk’s Palace of Independence. No prior discover was given of the occasion, which took native journalists and opposition activists by surprise.
Opposition politicians described the ceremony as a “thieves’ meeting” and a “farce.”
The opposition Coordination Council, set as much as facilitate a switch of energy, urged members of the worldwide group Wednesday to help its members and denounce Lukashenko’s appointment.
“This morning Alexander Lukashenko appointed himself the President of the Republic of Belarus…the Belarusians did not vote for him in the election, though this farce can hardly be called an election,” the Board of the Coordination Council stated Wednesday in a assertion.
“We call on the European Union, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, China, [and] Russia to take a clear position on recognising Lukashenko [as] illegitimate and to consider recalling your ambassadors for consultations,” the assertion added.
The US stated Wednesday that it rejected the legitimacy of Lukashenko’s win.
“The United States cannot consider Alyaksandr Lukashenka (Alexander Lukashenko) the legitimately elected leader of Belarus,” a US State Department spokesperson stated in a assertion to CNN.
“The elections August 9 were neither free nor fair. The announced results were fraudulent and did not convey legitimacy.”
Lukashenko was declared the landslide winner of the vote in August, however critics have publicly accused him of rigging the ballot, and have since disappeared from the nation.
Tens of hundreds of protesters have additionally taken to the streets in mass demonstrations throughout Belarus for weeks.
Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who is coordinating the protests from exile in Lithuania, stated that “this so-called inauguration is, of course, a farce.”
“Lukashenko’s attempt to preserve his legitimacy only points to the fact that his previous authority has ended, but Belarusian citizens did not give him a new mandate,” Tikhanovskaya posted on her Telegram feed.
Another opposition politician, Pavel Latushko, accused Lukashenko of holding a “special operation on self-inauguration.”
“Under the protection of riot police, in the atmosphere of secrecy, in a narrow circle of hastily brought officials. Where are the jubilant citizens? Where are the diplomatic corps? To be honest, it looks more like a thieves’ meeting for the coronation of another thief-in-law,” Latushko wrote on social media.
Lukashenko, who has been in energy since 1994, assumed the workplace for his sixth consecutive time period after taking an oath, state press service Belta reported.
“Assuming the office of the President of the Republic of Belarus, I solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of the Republic of Belarus, respect and protect the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, observe and protect the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, sacred and conscientiously fulfil the high duties entrusted to me,” the oath learn.
Several hundred folks have been invited to Wednesday’s ceremony, in keeping with the press service.
Belta stated that senior officers, deputies of the House of Representatives, heads of state our bodies, scientists, tradition and sports activities figures have been invited.
Over current weeks, Lukashenko and the Belarusian state safety equipment has been forcibly eradicating from the nation or detaining main opposition figures.
The Coordination Council reiterated its willingness to barter with authorities on Wednesday.
The opposition physique additionally referred to as on residents to proceed mobilizing in opposition to the federal government.
“We are ready to start immediate negotiations with the Prime Minister of Belarus and with the Chairmen of commissions at the Chamber of Representatives about setting the date of a new election and about temporary governance during the transition period,” the Coordination Council stated.
“We support the infinite peaceful civil disobedience, ignoring any and all instructions from the illegal authorities, peaceful actions in the streets of cities and towns,” it added.
Meanwhile, demonstrations have continued throughout the nation, notably at weekends. On Saturday, 430 folks have been detained in protests throughout the nation, in keeping with the Interior Ministry. Of these, 415 have been within the capital Minsk. Some 385 folks had been launched as of Sunday morning, the Ministry stated.
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