according to the official results the oppositional parties failed to gain any of the 110 available seats, all of which were given to parties and non-partisan candidates loyal to president alexander lukashenko. the central election commission declared this to be due to the overwhelming popular fear of mass demonstrations and of the "radical political changes" demanded by the opposition. this declaration was met with immediate anti-governmental demonstrations in the centre of minsk protesting against electoral fraud. president lukashenko commented that the opposition in belarus is financed by foreign countries and is not needed.