Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been sworn in for a sixth term at a secret ceremony held with no prior announcement, the Belta state news agency reported Wednesday.
Lukashenko has faced massive demonstrations against his rule in Minsk and other cities since claiming victory in disputed elections on Aug. 9, and has made only rare appearances in public view.
Фотография с инаугурации Лукашенко, которая началась без анонса и телетрансляции.
Фото: Пул Первого pic.twitter.com/iKQKT5F9UL— TUT.BY (@tutby) September 23, 2020
“Alexander Lukashenko has taken office as President of Belarus. The inauguration ceremony is taking place in these minutes in the Palace of Independence,” the news agency reported.
Earlier independent news agencies reported that streets were closed as Lukashenko’s motorcade raced through the capital Minsk, prompting speculation that the inauguration was due to take place, while there was no official confirmation.
Lukashenko’s official website did not make any announcement and the ceremony was not shown live on state television, apparently to avoid protesters gathering.
The 66-year-old leader, in power since 1994, viewed one protest rally from his helicopter, describing the demonstrators as “rats,” and later disembarked in a bullet-proof vest, carrying a Kalashnikov.
He has sought backing from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has promised him law enforcement backup if needed, as well as a $1.5 billion loan.
His main opposition rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, claimed she won the election but has taken shelter in Lithuania, while Lukashenko has jailed or driven out other key opposition figures.
European Union foreign ministers on Monday failed to agree sanctions over the political crisis, despite a plea for support from Tikhanovskaya.
Cyprus, which has good relations with Russia, has vetoed proposed EU sanctions.
(c) The Moscow Times
Luka too chickenshit to be sworn in, in front of the adoring millions who voted for him, or maybe it would be a huge embarrassment when only 3 people waving Russian flags turned up.
This already shows by itself he wasn’t elected.
I wonder if Luka turns into stone when exposed to sunlight?
Looking at his image, he’s halfway there already. 😁
Oh yeah, he’s aged about ten years this last month.
Off topic: I just saw this brief Fox clip. It’s a good example of how they manipulate the US public into seeing Ukraine in a negative light. Biden Jr, a sleaze bag crook is presented as taking $millions from China and a ‘Ukrainian oligarch’. Thus they see Ukraine as no different from China in terms of corruption and evil. They never explain that the ‘Ukrainian oligarch’ is himself a Russian agent whose company; Burisma, is not Ukrainian at all, but registered in Limassolgrad in Cyprussia, thus making Biden Jr a Russian asset.
That sort of lazy journalism is rampant in today’s world. That’s how corrupt outfits like RT and Tass excel. Why double-check?, just print it…
I’d bet they got most of their lines from TASS, AP and Reuters.
It comes from the Laura Ingraham show. She is now a big star. Previously she was a syndicated radio host. She speaks Russian, has adopted Russian kids and is a full on putlerite. Her career took off thanks to her friendship with putlerite and Trump advisor Michael Savage. She has supplemented Fox’s roster of putler friendly scum such as Hannity and the worst one of all : Carlson.
Yep, Fox is a good example of lazy journalism…..??
Making a secret out of the inauguration says everything: He has no one to be president for (except for the handful of his ass-spelunkers).