Almost three days later and despite the rumours that talked about a possible vote-rigging, the results of parliamentary Venezuelan elections were finally made official by the CNE (Election National Council). The Venezuelan people have made a complete about-face since the last polls by choosing the opposition party MUD (Roundtable for Democratic Unity), as their preferred option by a large margin above the current government group, PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela). With a 67.07 per cent of the votes, the Caprile’s Big tent party achieves 109 deputies and the qualifying majority in Parliament (with the help of the three representatives obtained by the Native Party), while Nicolás Maduro’s bevy has only reached 55 seats (32,93 per cent of votes).
This new situation opens a new political horizon in the country. This majority could mean that a lot of changes are to come because now the parliament, which is the place where laws are made, will be in the hands of opposition party. The Spanish newspaper El País, publishes today an interview with the leader of MUD, Henrique Capriles, in which he gives assurances that they are taking steps to “urgently”change the judicial system. “Our main concerns are economy, social aspect and insecurity”, he added. He was also asked about the political prisoners, victims of the repression: “Maduro should read the result, starting with a gesture like releasing political prisoners and calling the country to national unity”, he answered.
For his part, the current president, Nicolás Maduro has already announced in the public Venezuelan television that he “has invited his ministers to place their offices at the disposal”. With that measure he expects starting a “reconstruction, renovation and deep momentum process which will affect to all government areas”. He has also expressed he “will not accept any amnesty law” to release “nation killers that have violated human rights”, in reference to the bill what will be presented by the new majority to free the 70 political captives of Chavism, such as the leader of Popular Will party, Leopoldo López, or the former major of Caracas, Antonio Ledezma. Many are afraid about the reaction of Maduro’s regime, which has still more than 3 years before it, until next presidential elections, in 2019. A new hope has risen in Venezuela but a lot of questions still remain open.
Photos by: Ruurmo, See Li.