Venezuela's December Elections: A Democratic Turning Point?

Venezuela is scheduled to hold legislative elections on December 6 against a backdrop of high inflation, shortages of basic goods, high rates of crime and violence, and low international oil prices. Opinion polls suggest that Venezuelans overwhelmingly disapprove of the administration of President Nicolás Maduro. Despite apparent favorable conditions for the democratic opposition, the elections will take place in a decisively unleveled electoral playing field.

How free and fair will the upcoming elections be? What tactics has the government used to alter the rules of the game? How are public resources being used ahead of the elections? What is the quality of the media coverage in the pre-electoral period? Could election results contribute to further divisions and social conflicts?

Council of the Americas, the National Endowment for Democracy, and three Venezuelan civil society experts will hold a public discussion to learn more about the conditions leading up to December’s legislative elections in Venezuela.

Speakers:

• Marianela Balbi, Executive Director, Instituto Prensa y Sociedad Venezuela
• Mercedes de Freitas, Executive Director, Transparencia Venezuela
• Marco Antonio Ponce, Executive Director, Observatorio Venezolano de Conflictividad Social

Please note this discussion will be held in Spanish with interpretation available.

To register: Please email us at as-coawashington@counciloftheamericas.org

Please RSVP no later than 3:00 p.m. the day before the event.