Election for Constituent Assembly deepens divisions in Venezuela

Publisher
Series Title
Series Details July 2017
Publication Date 31/07/2017
Content Type

Background and further information:

The election was held on 30 July 2017 after the Assembly was convened by presidential decree. Its purpose is to draw up a Constitution which could replace the constitutional document from 1999. Amid great violence on the streets, the opposition groups refused to take part in the election and called the electorate to boycott the poll.

The decision to hold the election was criticised by some members of the international community, which saw the election as deepening divisions and putting democracy further into question in the country. The poll day was stained by violence and the death of some nationals.

There were conflicting reports on voter turnout.

This feature focuses on the the election held in Venezuela on 30 July 2017 for its Constitutional Assembly, the international reaction to it and the impact in the country's politics and society.

Related Links
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 07.08.2017: Statement by the Spokesperson on the situation in Venezuela https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/30809/
European Commission: DG Communication: STATEMENT/17/2224, 31.07.17: Statement by the Spokesperson on the Election to a Constituent Assembly in Venezuela http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-2224_en.htm
BBC News, 31.07.17: Venezuela's Maduro claims poll victory as opposition cries foul http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40772531
TeleSur, 30.07.17: What Mainstream Media Got Wrong About Venezuela's Constituent Assembly Vote http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/What-Mainstream-Media-Got-Wrong-About-Venezuelas-Constituent-Assembly-Vote--20170730-0037.html
BBC News, 31.07.17: What did Venezuelans vote for and why was it so divisive? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40704184
Reuters, 31.07.17: EU condemns Venezuela election violence, may not recognise results https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-venezuela-politics-eu-idUKKBN1AG133
Euronews, 31.07.17: Violent clashes escalate on election day in Venezuela, leaving many dead http://www.euronews.com/2017/07/31/violent-clashes-escalate-on-election-day-in-venezuela-leaving-many-dead
Deutsche Welle, 30.07.17: Several dead as Venezuelan opposition snubs 'vote for the revolution' http://p.dw.com/p/2hO5v
Reuters, 30.07.17: U.S. calls Venezuela vote a 'sham,' says will not accept result https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-haley-idUSKBN1AF0WJ
EurActiv, 03.08.17: EU does not recognise Venezuela’s new assembly and warns about sanctions http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-does-not-recognise-venezuelas-new-assembly-and-warns-about-sanctions/
EurActiv, 02.08.17: Greece raises concerns about EU stance on Venezuela http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/greece-raises-concerns-about-eu-stance-on-venezuela/
EUObserver, 02.08.17: EU snubs Venezuela vote, but holds off sanctions https://euobserver.com/foreign/138671
Council of the European Union, 02.08.17: Declaration of the High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU on Venezuela http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/08/02-hr-venezuela/
EUObserver, 31.07.17: Venezuela vote was 'doubtful', EU says https://euobserver.com/foreign/138652
Politico, 31.07.17: EU condemns Venezuela vote http://www.politico.eu/article/nicolas-maduro-election-constituent-assembly-antonio-tajani-eu-condemns-venezuela-vote/
Euro|Topics: Debates, August 2017: Are sanctions against Venezuela the right move? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/183451/are-sanctions-against-venezuela-the-right-move

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