Belarus: Renew Europe denounces Lukashenka’s sham election

Ahead of the so-called presidential elections in Belarus, scheduled for this week on 26 January, the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament denounces the lack of freedom, fairness, and transparency in the electoral process, while ongoing grave violations of human rights and democratic principles in Belarus have further intensified.

In a resolution adopted today by the plenary, initiated by our political group, Renew Europe calls on the EU and its international partners to broaden and strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for repression in Belarus and for Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Lukashenka’s cronies, who prop up his illegitimate and criminal regime, must have their assets identified, frozen, and seized through legal means.

Renew Europe MEP, Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS, Austria), EP standing rapporteur on Belarus, who led the negotiations on the resolution, said:

“The so-called elections in Belarus this weekend are a farce. The EU and its partners do not recognise Lukashenka as president. He is illegitimate, a criminal and must be brought to justice. We will continue to support the democratic forces in Belarus, led by Ms Tsikhanouskaya, until free and fair elections are held in the country.”

Renew Europe MEP, Michał Kobosko (Polska 2050, Poland), Vice-Chair of the Delegation for relations with Belarus, added:

“State-orchestrated elections by Lukashenka’s criminal regime continue to deprive the Belarusian people of their fundamental right to choose their leaders and determine their future. The dictator is now running for a seventh term. Targeted sanctions and economic measures imposed by the EU against Belarusian individuals and entities must be broader and stronger.”