Belarus to hold its presidential election on Aug. 9

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The parliament of Belarus on Friday set Aug. 9 as the date for the country’s next presidential election. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist since 1994, announced last year that he is running for another term. He has vowed, however, not to run the country forever. If he wins, it will be his sixth consecutive term in office. The U.S. and the European Union have regularly criticized Belarusian authorities for flawed elections and stifling the opposition. Last year’s parliamentary election excluded the opposition, with all 110 parliament seats going to former government functionaries, diplomats and members of pro-government parties.