The Venezuelan opposition has confirmed that it will take part in the regional and local elections in November. It is changing its strategy after boycotting earlier elections because it did not see them as fair and free. A joint statement by representatives of all opposition parties speaks of a “difficult internal consultation process” in which local, regional and national leaders of the opposition were involved. "We are moved by the difficult situation in our country, the sense of urgency to find lasting solutions to our sufferings and the purpose of strengthening unity," the statement said. The opposition parties have agreed on a common listwith which they will run for the election of 23 governors as well as 335 mayors and a number of regional deputies and councilors.

Tjerk Brühwiller

Correspondent for Latin America based in São Paulo.

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“For those who think that the solution is not a choice - what is it then?” Asked former parliamentary leader Henry Ramos Allup of the opposition party “Democratic Action” at a press conference in Caracas.

The opposition activist Freddy Guevara, who was recently released from prison, had already justified the change in strategy.

The opposition must seek "coexistence" with the ruling Socialist Party instead of trying to force a change of government, Guevara said.

"For years one of the sides has felt strong and believed it could crush the other or completely displace it," said Guevara.

“This dynamic, this vicious circle, has to stop.

We need a process of coexistence. "

Detainees are released

His party “People's Will” has been the driving force behind the election boycotts in recent years.

She was also instrumental in 2019 efforts to push Maduro out of power through a Washington-backed plan.

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who also belongs to the “People's Will” party, played a central role.

After the parliament, which was still controlled by the opposition at the time, did not recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018, it proclaimed Guaidó as interim president.

Guaidó had promised the "end of usurpation" and a quick transition to democracy, but could not convince the military leaders to turn against Maduro despite the support from abroad.

Guaidó remains a key figure in the opposition. However, his role as interim president has de facto ended, although Washington, for example, continues to hold on to him.

Maduro welcomed the opposition's move, but couldn't help making a malicious comment. The decision to participate in the elections again deserves applause, he said on state television. "I'll be sitting in my chair with popcorn on November 21st to watch Juan Guaidó vote." Guaidó responded on Twitter to Maduro's statement: Everyone knows that there are no conditions or guarantees for a free and fair election today. Therefore one has to look for these guarantees in a process with international mediation and draw up a schedule for elections. “You have and will not have recognition. There will only be one presidential election that you rejected and from which you are fleeing today, ”Guaidó addressed Maduro on Twitter.

Guaidó referred to the negotiation process between the Maduro government and the opposition, which had recently started in Mexico and with the mediation of Norway and other governments, with the aim of finding a way out of the political crisis. Further talks are planned for the next few days. With their consent to take part in the elections in November, the opposition submitted. How great the government's willingness to compromise remains to be seen. The first signals give cause for optimism. The government has allowed several exiled opposition politicians to return to vote. In the past few weeks there have also been releases of prisoners of the opposition.

With regard to the election, it is also important to be cleared for a joint opposition list. The joint list with which the opposition won the parliamentary elections in 2015 was not eligible for elections in previous years. A central point of negotiation with regard to the elections in November is also the approval of an EU mission to accompany the elections.