In a statement released on Tuesday 16 June, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, said that the recent decisions by the Venezuelan Supreme Court to appoint a new National Electoral Council (NEC) and suspend the opposition party Accion Democratica “reduce to a minimum” the democratic space in Venezuela and “create new obstacles” to resolving the political crisis in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the EU, he stressed that an NEC “independent and balanced” in representation and a level playing field that allows all political parties to participate are essential in guaranteeing a “credible” electoral process.
The EU’s position is consistent with the opinion issued the same day by the International Contact Group for Venezuela.
In 2020, the people of Venezuela need to vote for a new National Assembly, the only institution controlled by the political opposition since 2015 and currently presided over by Juan Guaidó, leader of the Voluntad Popular party, who has proclaimed himself interim president. The main Venezuelan opposition parties have already indicated that they will boycott the parliamentary elections, having criticised them as an electoral farce.
According to the Venezuelan Constitution, the National Assembly is the only body with the power to appoint a new NEC. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)