Bundestag: Lukashenka's «elections» - a cynical mock

Representatives of all parliamentary groups in Bundestag agreed that Belarus’ September 18-23 elections were not free or fair.

The matter was discussed on the initiative of the faction representing the ruling coalition of the Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union and the Free Democratic Party, according to the German lower parliamentary chamber’s press office.

Bundestag members mentioned “violence,” “intimidation” and a “decorative parliament” while speaking about Belarus’ elections.

Patrick Kurth of the Free Democratic Party said that the elections had run counter to all standards of a democratic ballot. “They falsified everything that could be falsified,” he said.

Rolf Mutzenich of the Social Democratic Party of Germany demanded the release of all political prisoners in Belarus and suggested that the European Union must encourage Russia to stop its support for Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s regime.

Karl-Georg Wellmann of the Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union said that Mr. Lukashenka had missed opportunities to conduct reforms and turn Belarus into a modern country, opting for a Soviet-style command economy instead. He questioned the efficiency of the European Union’s sanctions targeting the regime and warned that further sanctions would not have the desired effect. The lawmaker suggested allocating more funds for student exchange programs involving Belarusians and for scholarships for Belarusian students.

Wolfgang Gehrcke of the Left called on the EU to be as much open to Belarusian society as possible, while Viola von Cramon-Taubadel of the Alliance '90/The Greens called for easier Schengen visa rules for Belarusian citizens. “Let’s invite them to get to know our democratic society,” she said. The MP stressed that the sanctions must remain in place and criticized the German police for offering training to their Belarusian colleagues.