- Title: Venezuela opposition will register candidates for December gubernatorial vote
- Date: 9th August 2017
- Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 09, 2017) (REUTERS) MEMBERS OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION GATHERED FOR NEWS CONFERENCE GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE VENEZUELAN POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE OPPOSITION, ANDRES VELASQUEZ, TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE OPPOSITION, ANDRES VELASQUEZ, SAYING: "We have all agreed to register candidates for regional elections that are overdue and which have been taken away by the regime since last year." GENERAL VIEW OF VELASQUEZ ADDRESSING MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE OPPOSITION, ANDRES VELASQUEZ, SAYING: "This is not a normal election, this is an election that has been put through the illegal constituent assembly, a false constituent whose very presence has seen the Venezuelan economy collapse and which has been condemned by practically all of the international community." GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE OPPOSITION MEMBERS STANDING UP AT END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2017 21:55
- Keywords: Caracas Venezuela opposition regional elections President Nicolas Maduro
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016TFRNT3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Venezuela's opposition coalition said on Wednesday (August 09) it would register candidates to run in December's gubernatorial elections despite allegations of fraud in a controversial July election of a new all-powerful legislative body.
Earlier this month, the opposition accused President Nicolas Maduro of inflating turnout figures from its constituent assembly election, a claim backed by a London-based election technology firm. And in the last general election in 2013 the opposition demanded a recount of ballots in a presidential vote after claims its candidate Henrique Capriles won.
But with delayed regional elections now scheduled for later this year, the opposition will field candidates in the vote despite reservations.
With a flailing economy, product shortages and rampant crime, the opposition hopes popular discontent with the government will translate to votes. A recent opinion poll from Datanalisis puts Maduro's approval rating at just over 20%. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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