The Diplomat
Spain yesterday welcomed as a first step the election of the new National Electoral Council (CNE) in Venezuela, in which there is an opposition presence.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the government praised the fact that the Venezuelan Parliament, with a pro-government majority, has appointed the members who will make up the new body responsible for overseeing elections in Venezuela, which will be made up of three pro-Chávez and two opposition members.
The communiqué underlines the presence, among the members of the Council, of personalities of the democratic opposition supported by civil society organisations. “This is a first step, which should be followed by other necessary measures to guarantee the holding of fair, credible and transparent elections,” it says.
Spain also expresses its willingness to continue supporting the efforts of Venezuelan actors to achieve the democratic re-institutionalisation of the country through a negotiation led by Venezuelans, with a broad agenda and international accompaniment, leading to elections with democratic guarantees.
