On 30 June, the president of Venezuela’s electoral council (CNE), Indira Alfonzo, confirmed that the country’s legislative elections will be held in December, and outlined changes to the electoral process.
Analysis:
The legitimacy of this CNE, appointed by the supreme court (TSJ) on 12 June after it ruled that the opposition-controlled national assembly had taken too long to do so, is still being contested by opponents of the de facto government led by Nicolás Maduro, both within Venezuela and internationally. Critics maintain that the TSJ (and therefore the new CNE) is controlled by Maduro, and will not deliver free and fair elections. The political opposition, led by Juan Guaidó, faces a dilemma – it is reluctant to lend legitimacy to this new CNE by participating in elections, but it is simultaneously aware that boycotting is not a viable strategy, after doing so in the 2018 presidential election allowed Maduro to claim victory, albeit on a record low turnout.
- As well as confirming the December election date, Alfonzo added that the number of deputies elected will be increased from 167 to 277, with candidates selected by a combination of popular vote and party nominations. This change was justified on the basis that a record number of political organisations (87) are registered to participate, although this will also make it harder for any party to secure majority control of the legislature.
- A number of opposition parties loyal to Guaidó released a statement late on 29 June, setting out their own conditions for participating in these elections, including the appointment of a new CNE by Guaidó’s national assembly, the presence of opposition-approved international observers, and a guarantee of the right to run for election.
- These opposition parties were included in Alfonzo’s list of 87, but the leadership of two of these parties has already been transferred by the TSJ from deputies loyal to Guaidó to those who support a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s political crisis, and there are concerns that more such interventions are still to come.
Looking Ahead: Guaidó has insisted that a boycott is still on the table, saying “we will not lend our support to a farce, just as we didn’t in May 2018”. However, he voiced optimism that “by fighting we will achieve conditions that allow us to rescue the right to vote”.
