Lukashenko officially takes office as Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko takes the oath of office during an inauguration ceremony in Minsk, Belarus, March 25, 2025. Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in on Tuesday as Belarusian president for a five-year term. (Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus/Handout via Xinhua)

MINSK, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Alexander Lukashenko has officially taken office as President of Belarus on Tuesday.

Lukashenko assumed office for his seventh term following his victory in the January 26 elections.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Independence Palace in Minsk, attended by top officials and invited guests.

During the event, Lukashenko took the presidential oath. He pledged to faithfully serve the people of Belarus, uphold and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and observe and defend the nation's constitution.

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Igor Karpenko, presented the newly inaugurated president with a presidential certificate.

According to the Central Election Commission of Belarus, Lukashenko won the presidential election with 86.82 per cent of the vote.

Alexander Lukashenko walks into the venue of the inauguration ceremony in Minsk, Belarus, March 25, 2025. Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in on Tuesday as Belarusian president for a five-year term. (Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus/Handout via Xinhua)

The motorcade of Alexander Lukashenko is seen in Minsk, Belarus, March 25, 2025. Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in on Tuesday as Belarusian president for a five-year term. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows a scene of a presidential inauguration ceremony at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in on Tuesday as Belarusian president for a five-year term. (BelTA news agency via Xinhua)