{"id":130822,"date":"2025-03-20T14:42:26","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T11:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/130822\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"opposition-leader-inauguration-is-a-meaningless-formality-in-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/130822\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition leader: inauguration is a meaningless formality in Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (\u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja's Office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 20, <\/strong>Pozirk<\/strong>.<\/em> Inauguration without a real election is a meaningless formality which will not provide legitimacy to Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has told Pozirk<\/em>, commenting on his upcoming swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for March 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNeither Belarusians nor the international community recognize him,\u201d the politician said. “His regime continues to rely solely on reprisals, fear and support of the Kremlin while selling the sovereignty of our country in exchange for support for his illegal power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka, who extended his 30-year rule in Belarus earlier this year, might have picked March 25 intentionally, as this day marks the 107th anniversary of Belarus\u2019 short-lived independence in 1918 and is one of the major commemorative dates for the opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current Belarusian government does not recognize March 25, also known as Freedom Day, as an official holiday. After 2020 presidential election, any attempts to publicly celebrate anniversaries led to arrests, trials and jail terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state-run propaganda has been vocal in demonizing historical events related to the proclamation of independence in 1918, banning all symbols linked to the first Belarusian state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, Cichano\u016dskaja called for solidarity with Belarus on March 25 and announced numerous rallies by Belarusian communities abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a celebration of our independence and our resistance to dictatorship. We will say loudly that \u0141uka\u0161enka is not a president but a criminal who seized power. We will remind the world about our political prisoners and our struggle. Belarus will be free,\u201d she stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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