Belarus went to the polls on Sunday against a backdrop of large-scale opposition protests against President Alexander Lukashenko's rule, but the official electoral commission declared him the winner.
BRUSSELS - The European Union declared Tuesday that the Belarus presidential election that returned authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to office had been "neither free nor fair".
Belarus went to the polls on Sunday against a backdrop of large-scale opposition protests against Lukashenko's rule, but the official electoral commission declared him the winner. "During the electoral campaign, the people of Belarus have demonstrated the desire for democratic change," Borrell said in the statement drawn up after consultations with the 27 EU member states.
"The people of Belarus deserve better," he said, demanding the release of the thousands of alleged opposition activists rounded up during the protests.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US and EU slam Belarus for police brutalityViolence against poll protesters and detention of opposition supporters condemned
Read more »
Swiss investor takes on China by buying solar assets to secure EU supplyMeyer Burger Technology plans to restart module production in Germany’s ‘Solar Valley’ from 2021
Read more »
Algeria wants to 'reassess' EU trade dealAlgeria's president has requested the country's trade minister reassess a deal with the European Union.
Read more »
US and EU slam Belarus for police brutalityViolence against poll protesters and detention of opposition supporters condemned
Read more »
One killed in second night of protests against 'rigged' Belarus electionThousands took to the streets of the capital Minsk Monday night, saying Lukashenko had stolen the election from his surprise challenger, political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
Read more »
TOM EATON: Yes, the ANC is a dud but show us the money, opposition partiesMillions of people who vote for the ANC do so not because they feel it is a political choice but because they believe it is an economic necessity
Read more »