EPP Summit and Venezuela sets its presidential-election date

Chapter 1

Venezuela sets a date for elections but concerns linger over fairness

After months of being urged by the US to hold elections in exchange for a relaxation of sanctions, Venezuela finally set a date on Wednesday: they will take place on 28 July. But whether they will be free and fair is another matter. President Nicolás Maduro is expected to run again, while the main opposition leader, María Corina Machado, remains barred from holding office. Opposition leaders have also been given just 19 days to register candidates to replace her.