President Maduro handed total control in Venezuela after opposition boycotts election
- Venezuelans voted in legislative elections that tightened President Nicolas Maduro’s grip on power
- US-backed opposition rival Juan Guaido lead a boycott of the polls he called a fraud
President Nicolas Maduro regained control of Venezuela’s National Assembly, in a vote that was boycotted by the main opposition parties.
With no real opponents and widespread apathy, government-affiliated parties received 68 per cent of votes, the electoral council announced early Monday after counting more than 80 per cent of ballots. The almost-inevitable landslide cements Maduro’s grip on the last major institution in the country that has democratic legitimacy. The new assembly will take over on January 5.
“This is a great victory for democracy,” Maduro said on state TV at 1:45am. “The people have chosen their new lawmakers.”
Scarce crowds made their way into voting centres at schools across Caracas on Sunday morning, where masked voters were able to quickly cast their votes after having their hands sprayed with disinfectant. In the sprawling western slum of 23 de Enero, few trickled into the Manuel Palacio Fajardo school, where the late Hugo Chavez used to vote.
“I’m here because we desperately need our economy to improve,” said Carlos Aguilar, a 72-year-old retired electrician who depends on measly pension payments. “Even though the government handouts help, it’s not nearly enough. We’re trying to survive.”
