Venezuela sets date for election that could give major boost to opposition [View all]
Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's parliamentary election will be held on Dec. 6, authorities announced on Monday, ending lengthy speculation over the date for a vote that surveys showed was likely to punish the ruling socialists.
President Nicolas Maduro's ruling Socialist Party currently enjoys a majority in the 167-seat National Assembly, but an economic crisis including widespread shortages and roaring inflation has hurt the government's popularity.
Pressure had been mounting on the National Electoral Council (CNE), with two jailed politicians and dozens of students staging partial hunger strikes to demand a date.
"The National Electoral Council does not act under pressure," its head, Tibisay Lucena, said during a televised speech, chiding hard-line opposition critics who claim the CNE is beholden to the government.
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-hold-parliamentary-election-dec-6-173609134.html
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