OREANDA-NEWS. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko declared that he is not going to give up power, since he was elected not for this.

“I want to tell you like a man, so that we don’t have some uncertainty. I am often reproached that “he will not give up power.” They reproach rightly. The people elected me not for this,” the head of state said. “In the mid-nineties, it [Belarus. – Ed.] was lying in mud. […] Many of you remember this period. And I don’t want Belarus to return by that time. Therefore, no one will dare to throw mud into the authorities, as they [Opposition activists. – Ed.] demand,” Lukashenko added.

On August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus. According to the official data, Lukashenko gained 80.1 % of votes. The opposition did not recognize these results. Immediately after the election, mass protests began across the country.