Venezuela’s ruling socialist party has retained its dominant position in the National Assembly, securing nearly 83% of the vote in Sunday’s legislative elections, according to the country’s electoral authority. The vote was marked by a boycott from some opposition leaders, highlighting the ongoing fragmentation among parties opposed to President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Several key opposition figures urged voters to abstain, rejecting the official outcome of the July 2024 presidential election. The opposition claims it won that contest, though authorities declared Maduro the victor.
Sunday’s results ensure the ruling party maintains control over crucial institutions, including the attorney general’s office and the Supreme Court — both of which have members appointed by the National Assembly.
While officials did not provide a full breakdown of seats per party, they did announce 40 elected lawmakers representing various political groups. A coalition aligned with the ruling party received 6.25% of the vote, and an opposition alliance earned 5.17%, according to National Electoral Council (CNE) member Carlos Quintero, who delivered the results in a televised address.
Voter turnout for the election — which included the selection of 24 state governors and 285 lawmakers — reached 42.6% of the 21 million eligible voters, comparable to participation levels in the 2021 elections.
via Reuters