OREANDA-NEWS. Alexander Lukashenko took office as President of Belarus. The news agency BelTA informs that the inauguration ceremony was held at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, the official residence of the head of state.

In accordance with the country’s Constitution, Lukashenko took an oath to the nation in the Belarusian language and signed the corresponding document. The president’s certificate was presented to him by the head of the Central Election Commission, Lidia Yermoshina.

Until the last moment, the Belarusian authorities did not name the date of the inauguration. By law, a new president must take office no later than two months after the official election results are announced. This year this deadline expires on October 9.

BelTA reports that several hundred people attended the inauguration ceremony. Top officials, deputies of the House of Representatives, members of the Council of the Republic, heads of state bodies and organizations, scientists, culture and sports figures were among them.