Lukashenko sworn in for new term as president in Belarus amid protests

[brooklynite]

Source: The Hill

Belarus's embattled president was sworn in for a sixth term on Wednesday following weeks of protests calling for his removal from power.

Reuters reported that President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in during a ceremony held abruptly on Wednesday in place of a usual state ceremony, which comes as protests calling for the end of his decades-long reign have continued in the streets for weeks.

“I cannot, I have no right to abandon the Belarusians,” Lukashenko said Wednesday about calls for him to step down, according to Reuters.

Opposition political leaders have reportedly called for continued demonstrations in the upcoming days in social media postings.



Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/517729-lukashenko-sworn-in-for-new-term-as-president-in-belarus-sparking

[AllyCat]

1. Putin wins again

[IcyPeas]

2. russian officials are blaming U.S. interference.

He claimed victory in recent elections with around 80 percent of the vote, raising questions about legitimacy. Opposition leaders and protesters have also faced repression from Belarusian police and security forces, drawing condemnation from the State Department.

Russian officials, whose government is a close ally of Lukashenko, have accused U.S. agents in recent days of trying to foment revolution in the country that would oust the longtime leader.

“According to the SVR’s information, the United States is playing a key role in Belarus,” said the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service last week.

“Essentially we are talking about a poorly disguised attempt to organise another ‘colour revolution’ and an anti-constitutional coup, the goals and objectives of which have nothing to do with the interests of Belarusian citizens.”

(from same link as OP)