루카셴코 벨라루스 대통령, 야권 대선 불복시위 와중 전격 취임
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko was abruptly sworn in for his sixth term on Wednesday.
The sudden inauguration came amid weeks of protests against the August 9th election results that extended his 26-year rule, with over 80 percent of the vote.
"Inauguration day, is the day of our victory, convincing and fateful. We were not just electing the president of the country - we were defending our values, our peaceful life, our sovereignty and our independence"
The inauguration ceremony took place in Minsk, with several hundred top government officials present.
But the time and location of the event wasn't announced in advance.
Soon after the ceremony, Germany announced it still does not recognize Lukashenko as president of Belarus.
"Even after this ceremony today, Mr. Lukashenko cannot claim democratic legitimization, which would be the condition to recognize him as the legitimate president of Belarus."
The spokesman also urged that "brutal force" against peaceful demonstrators in Belarus must stop.
