Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko should no longer be recognized as president after November, when his term expires, the European Parliament said on Thursday, calling for European Union economic sanctions to be imposed on him.
In an overwhelming show
of support for pro-democracy protesters in Belarus, the EU assembly
voted 574 to 37, with 82 abstentions, to reject the official results of
an Aug. 9 presidential election that the West says was rigged.
"The
EU needs a new approach towards Belarus, which includes the termination
of any co-operation with Lukashenko's regime," said Petras
Austrevicius, a Lithuanian centrist EU lawmaker heading parliament's
efforts to pressure Belarus's top officials. While
the European Parliament's vote is not legally binding, it carries
political weight and can influence how the EU invests in Belarus or
grants financial support.
Read more at:
European Parliament votes to reject Belarus election, paving way for possible sanctions | CBC News
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