Venezuelan opposition leader, EU urge delay in election

1/10/2020 12:55

        A popular opposition politician in Venezuela urged authorities on Wednesday to delay upcoming congressional elections, saying it's the only way to create free and fair conditions for the vote.
        
        The call by former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles came hours after the European Union made a similar plea, reiterating that it won't send observers to Venezuela without postponing the vote and seeing a vast improvement in electoral conditions.
        
        "If it's postponed, does that automatically mean there will be the right conditions?" Capriles said in an online broadcast. "No, but it allows for the possibility of an observation mission.”
        
        At stake in the vote now set for Dec. 6 is control of the National Assembly. The legislative body is controlled by an opposition coalition led by U.S.-backed politician Juan Guaido. A loss of the chamber could erase the opposition's last hold power, putting all branches of government under President Nicolas Maduro’s control.