Venezuelan presidential election, 20 May 2018

Summary:

Presidential elections were held in Venezuela on 20 May 2018 with incumbent Nicolás Maduro being re-elected for a second six-year term. Several stakeholders expressed their concern over potential irregularities during the election. It registered the lowest voter turnout in the country's democratic history, to date.

Further information:

The electoral process was rejected by the European Union and the majority of the main political actors in the Western world. The two leading candidates opposing Mr Maduro also rejected the results.

Wikipedia: Venezuelan presidential election, 2018 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_presidential_election,_2018

Council of the European Union: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the presidential and regional elections in Venezuela http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/05/22/declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-presidential-and-regional-elections-in-venezuela/

Reuters, 16.05.18: Hundreds protest against 'fixed' election in Venezuela https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1IH2GN

[Opinion] The New York Times, 15.05.18: Venezuelans Have No Choice but to Vote https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/opinion/venezuelans-vote.html

France: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Venezuela – Presidential elections (20 May 2018) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/venezuela/events/article/venezuela-presidential-elections-20-05-18

TeleSur, 20.05.18: Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuelan Presidential Elections https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Nicolas-Maduro-Wins-Venezuelan-Presidential-Elections-20180520-0032.html

TIME, 15.05.18: Regional Leaders Call on Venezuela to Suspend 'Illegitimate' Election http://time.com/5277367/venezuela-election-lima-group-nicolas-maduro/

[Opinion] Foreign Policy, 05.06.18: It’s Time for a Coup in Venezuela http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/05/its-time-for-a-coup-in-venezuela-trump/

TeleSur, 19.05.18: Venezuela: Global Observers Ratify Electoral Transparency https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Venezuela-Global-Observers-Ratify-Electoral-Transparency-20180519-0012.html

[Opinion] The Guardian, 20.05.18: The Observer view on Venezuela’s need for profound change, not a sham poll https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/20/observer-view-on-venezuela-critical-need-for-change-nicolas-maduro-hugo-chavez

Reuters, 16.05.18: A Venezuelan paradox: Maduro's critics long for change but won't vote https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1IH1J8

The Guardian, 21.05.18: Venezuela elections: Maduro wins second term https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/21/venezuela-elections-nicolas-maduro-wins-second-term

El País, 22.05.18: Venezuelan election fiasco deepens President Maduro’s isolation https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/05/22/inenglish/1526977353_575869.html

[Blog] LSE: Latin America and Caribbean Centre: Venezuela elections 2018: military and institutional backing could keep Maduro in power despite sanctions http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/latamcaribbean/2018/05/16/venezuela-elections-2018-military-backing-and-a-divided-opposition-could-keep-maduro-in-power-despite-sanctions/

The Independent, 14.05.18: Venezuela presidential election 2018: Who are the candidates and what are the key issues at stake? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/venezuelan-presidential-election-2018-candidates-issues-nicolas-maduro-henri-falcon-economy-oil-a8350731.html

European Council: G7 Leaders' Statement on Venezuela http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/05/23/g7-leaders-statement-on-venezuela/

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