Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Lucas Koerner: Venezuela - After Chavista local elections' landslide, internal struggles comes to the fore

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim and Lucas Koerner write about Venezuela: After Chavista local elections' landslide, internal struggles comes to the fore.

During his late-night speech, Maduro vowed to reinvigorate the political movement started under his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. He told supporters he plans to prioritise revitalising the country’s ailing economy.

“2018 belongs to Chavistas,” he said.

However, according to a poll by Venebarometro released in December, Maduro could very well lose if presidential elections were held that week. When asked which candidate they would support, just 28.6% of respondents said they'd vote for Maduro.

The opposition is yet to coalesce around a single candidacy, but the pollsters suggested a generic opposition candidate could command at least 46.3% of the vote. A full quarter of respondents said they were undecided.

Emphasis Mine

Maduro needs to get his act together fast. The division in the opposition helps him somewhat. But he needs to get the economy working. This means more socialism.