Venezuelans are to choose: Guaidós last Bastion falls

In December, Venezuelans will choose a new national Assembly. This has given the electoral Council in the country. However, as in the two previous elections, the Opposition is not or only in small Parts will even take part in it.

Tjerk Brühwiller

Free Rapporteur for Latin America with headquarters in São Paulo.

There are no guarantees for a fair and transparent election, argue that the major opposition parties. It would prove to be the Regime of President Maduro, as a Favor, to legitimize the "mock election" by a participation. "We Venezuelans recognize no Farce," wrote opposition leader Juan Guaidó on Twitter. This would not have made sieimMai 2018, finally. "We have opted for a life with Dignity and in democracy."

This information will concern the election of the national Assembly, the Institution and so, in the Opposition since the last election five years ago, a majority and appointed prior to one and a half years, its Chairman Juan Guaidó to the interim President. The election of the national Assembly by the end of 2015, closed won in the opposition parties a two-thirds majority, shall be considered as the last free and democratic election in the country.

After the defeat in the vote, Maduro began with the Dismantling of the democratic institutions and rules. Shortly after the new Parliament had taken up its work, said at the government hearing, Supreme court and the decisions null and void. Then the Regime allowed without prior consultation with the people of a constituent Assembly, to choose, to establish a kind of counter-Parliament. A Referendum on the whereabouts of Maduro's in his office, as provided for in the Constitution, has been denied to the people also.

Currently, two national meetings

Today's Venezuela, which was due to his oil-rich country happen once, not only economically completely on the ground and impoverished, but politically and socially deeply divided. Members of the opposition are politically persecuted, while at the same time, the radicalisation of both sides increased. The attempt of the Opposition to consider the appointment of Guaidó and its recognition by many governments – especially the United States – the army on their side and to force Maduro in the knee, has failed.

Maduro has not only control over the army, but also about the Supreme court, which recently appointed a new electoral Council, although this expertise is actually in the national Assembly are entitled to. The last blow against the Opposition took place in January, when the national Assembly chose, to the exclusion of numerous opposition representatives in a government – related members and non – Guaidó-to the President of Parliament. In a second Assembly Guaidó was elected. Since then, two national meetings with different presidents.

The Opposition is weakened, and the choice threatened to use Parliament to lose their last Bastion. After the failed coup attempt, many governments at a distance went in addition to Parliament, because, de facto, it has no decision-making power in Venezuela.