“The lack of respect for political pluralism and the disqualification and prosecution of opposition leaders do not allow the EU to recognise this electoral process as credible, inclusive or transparent, and its results as representative of the will of the Venezuelan people”, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Monday 7 December, following the parliamentary elections in Venezuela won by the Maduro regime.
According to the National Electoral Council, Mr Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela won two-thirds of the votes with an estimated 30% turnout of the electorate. The main Venezuelan political parties boycotted a process which, according to the EU, failed to meet minimum democratic standards.
Mr Borrell said that he was deeply disappointed with the situation on the ground, as he felt that he had done much to promote credible elections. “Venezuela needs a political situation to end the impass and enable delivery of humanitarian aid”, he said. He would like to discuss the way forward with the International Contact Group in the near future.
The new Venezuelan assembly will be constituted on 5 January. The question arises as to the political role to be played by the opponent Juan Guaidó, who has been recognised by some Member States as the legitimate interim President of Venezuela. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)