EU’s Roberta Metsola condemns Belarus election as a sham

Giuseppe de vita
Credit: REUTERS/Johanna Geron

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called Belarus’ upcoming election a “sham” on X, assuring Belarusians that the EU supports them and democracy will prevail.

Metsola, on her X handle, said,

“Tomorrow’s election in Belarus is a sham. My message to the people of Belarus is: keep strong; we have your back, and the time of dictatorship will be over. Democracy will prevail.”

How has the EU supported Belarusian democratic forces?

Moreover, a few days back, on 22 January 2025, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Belarus presidential election scheduled for 26 January as a “sham.” The European Parliament termed the entire electoral process as illegitimate in view of no genuine opposition candidates and a repressive political environment.

According to the resolution, the election is merely a mechanism through which President Alexander Lukashenko continues to uphold authoritarian rule since 1994. MEPs sought the EU and its member states’ advice not to give credibility to Lukashenko after declaring the election results. They said that in contrast to the one held in 2020, this time, there is an absolute absence of hopeful candidates who can compete with Lukashenko.

How does Metsola envision a democratic future for Belarus?

The European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, has always strongly been of the opinion in support of Belarus and its democratic forces. The head of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met with Metsola in May 2024, when Metsola stated, “Belarus will not become the forgotten corner of Europe.” She further clarified that the EU was committed to strengthening ties with Belarusian civil society and continued to back the fight for democracy and independence.

Metsola has condemned the continued repression in Belarus and urged for the immediate release of all political prisoners. She underlined the need for the international community to take urgent action to stand in solidarity with those fighting for democracy in Belarus.

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Giuseppe De Vita is a journalist at Brussels Morning News, He is covering European politics, Law and Technology news. Lawyer at De Vita & Partners Law Firm specializing in Criminal Law, Military and Space Law, and Cyber Security. In April 2023, he authored the monograph "Governance in Extraterrestrial Space", showcasing his extensive legal expertise. He has acquired vast experience in handling criminal and civil matters, managing litigation before various levels of jurisdiction across the national territory. In 2010, he obtained a Master's degree in Information Technology Law. Additionally, in the same year, he served as a teacher in criminal-IT subjects at the Penitentiary Police School of Portici, providing courses aimed at officials and managers of the Penitentiary Police and the Penitentiary Administration, focusing on IT security. He also serves as a Workplace Safety teacher, conducting training courses at various organizations and educational institutions. Moreover, he is a lecturer on Anti-Corruption and Transparency. The law firm, under his guidance, assists both private and corporate clients in court, accumulating significant experience in criminal and civil disputes over the years. Furthermore, it conducts Risk Management and Compliance, Cyber Resilience, and Cyber Security activities, with a specific focus on privacy protection (EU Regulation 2016/679 - GDPR). Giuseppe frequently publishes articles in legal journals, analyzing various regulatory issues. He has contributed articles to the legal journal Altalex, of which he is also a member of the Scientific Committee.
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