Poland’s Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Facebook: “This event only confirms that Lukashenko is aware of what he did in falsifying the election results. He is aware that he does not have the support of his own nation.”
The Polish prime minister said his country’s position was clear: “Belarus must be sovereign, and an essential prerequisite for that are fair elections in which Belarusians, and not the apparatus of repression, decide” who is in power.
“Elections that are not democratic cannot lead to anyone being recognized as president,” Morawiecki added.
Ignoring calls for an end to his 26-year grip on power, Lukashenko was sworn in for a sixth term on Wednesday after an election that the opposition and several foreign governments say was rigged.
Morawiecki, meanwhile, is expected to unveil a plan for wide-ranging international economic assistance to Belarus at an upcoming meeting of EU leaders.
Polish state news agency PAP cited him as saying earlier this month that Belarus should be provided with financial assistance of at least EUR 1 billion.
The presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Romania earlier this week voiced support for the people of Belarus in building democracy and civil society institutions while also urging international assistance for the country.
(pk)
Source: IAR