EU Joint Statement Blocked
Sources in Brussels reported that Hungary was the sole EU member state to oppose the draft statement, which was intended to represent the unified stance of all 27 member states. Slovakia, which initially hesitated to endorse the statement, ultimately agreed to sign it. However, Hungary’s refusal prevented its formal adoption.
Without unanimous support, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, and Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos, issued their own statement on behalf of the EU. They declared the 26 January elections in Belarus illegitimate and called for the release of all political prisoners, including an EU delegation staff member detained in the country. They also suggested that additional sanctions against Belarus might follow.
“The elections in Belarus were neither free nor fair. The people of Belarus deserve a genuine say in who governs their country,” the statement read.
It also highlighted the unprecedented levels of repression, restrictions on political participation, and lack of access to independent media, which stripped the electoral process of legitimacy.
Hungary’s Diverging Position
Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has previously faced criticism for its divergence from EU foreign policy, particularly regarding Russia and its allies. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is the only high-ranking EU official who regularly visits Minsk. Hungary has consistently opposed the expansion of EU sanctions against Russia and has expressed reluctance to increase European support for Ukraine.
Observers suggest that Hungary’s stance is influenced by its closer ties with Russia and a strategic effort to maintain its relationship with Belarus. This approach has raised concerns about the EU’s ability to present a united front on key issues, particularly when addressing human rights violations and authoritarian regimes.
Belarus Presidential Elections: A Controversial Process
The elections, held amid a backdrop of political crisis and severe repression, were widely condemned as undemocratic. Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed victory with an official exit poll suggesting he received 87.6% of the vote. The Central Election Commission of Belarus is expected to release official results by the early hours of 27 January.
International organisations and observers, including the EU, have consistently refused to recognise Belarusian election results since 2001, citing systematic irregularities, repression, and the absence of registered opposition parties or independent civil society organisations. This latest election was no exception, with independent media and opposition figures heavily restricted.
Reactions from Belarus and Beyond
Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anatoliy Glaz dismissed the EU’s draft statement as “gross interference in the electoral processes of a sovereign state.” The Belarusian government has repeatedly rejected international criticism of its elections and political practices.
Meanwhile, international pressure on Belarus is expected to continue. The EU’s inability to reach consensus on the statement highlights internal divisions but does not diminish the broader condemnation of Belarus’s electoral practices by individual EU officials and global organisations.
Implications for EU Unity and Policy
Hungary’s decision to block the statement highlights ongoing difficulties within the EU in achieving consensus on foreign policy. It raises practical concerns about the EU’s capacity to respond effectively to democratic backsliding and authoritarianism, both within member states and in neighbouring countries.
This incident also underscores Hungary’s increasing divergence from the broader EU approach to foreign affairs. As the EU manages complex relationships with neighbouring states, maintaining a unified and credible position becomes increasingly essential for its influence and effectiveness.
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