EP resolution does not recognise election outcome in Belarus

The resolution rejects the results of last month's elections, which the Belarusian opposition and the West have called manipulated.

The non-binding text of the resolution, which was voted September 17th with 574 votes pro, 37 against and 82 abstentions, also calls for new, free and honest <x0-elections under international supervision”.

“As soon as the mandate of current authoritarian leader Alyaxasander Lucasenka is over, on November 5th, parliament will no longer recognise him as president of the country”, the EP said in a statement.

Belarus's Foreign Ministry immediately called the resolution “an intervention in domestic affairs”.

EU member states are currently working on visa bans and freezing assets against Belarusan officials, who the 27-nation bloc views as responsible for a severe blow to mass protests that began immediately after the August 9th elections.

According to sources, Lucashenka will not be initially included in the list of sanctions, but the European Parliament has called for its involvement and is demanding that member states see the possibility of involvement even Russian citizens who directly support the regime in Minsk.

The demonstrations have presented the biggest threat to Lucashencan and efforts to prolong its 26-year rule.

Moscow's support has become essential to Lucashenka's survival as president, and the Kremlin has accused the West of seeking to see a revolution in the country.

The resolution also encourages EU member states “to facilitate and accelerate the creation of a humanitarian corridor and the procedure for obtaining visas for those leaving Belarus for political reasons”. /rel