The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Political polarization and limited citizen trust in democratic institutions continues to afflict the Venezuelan political system. President Hugo Chávez, who was elected in large part by capitalizing on the failures of traditional parties, extended his mandate for another six years in the December 2006 presidential election. Although a majority of Venezuelans voted in opposition to constitutional reforms proposed in December 2007, the governing Venezuelan United Socialist Party (PSUV) won more than 70 percent of gubernatorial and mayoral races in the November 2008 regional elections. In February 2009, Venezuelans again went to the polls and voted to allow indefinite re-election for all elected officials, including the president. Chávez thereafter announced his candidacy for the 2012 presidential elections.

President Chávez’s administration continues to enjoy popular support as demonstrated by recent elections and ongoing public opinion polling. Actions by this administration, however, continue to raise serious concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions and processes. These actions include decisions to disqualify nearly 400 candidates from participating in 2008 regional elections, legal proceedings against prominent civil society and opposition leaders, legislative debate to increase government oversight of civil society activity, utilization of broad executive “decree power,” recentralization of power in the executive and excessive use of public resources in elections.

Economic and security issues are principal concerns among Venezuelans, to which newly elected political parties will have to respond at state and municipal levels. Opposition parties won control several key elections, including that for mayor of Greater Caracas as well as governor of the most politically and economically important states of Carabobo, Miranda and Zulia, among others. Municipal council and National Assembly elections will be held in 2010.

The global economic crisis, however, has added new challenges for pro-government and opposition officials alike. A precipitous drop in the price of oil combined with the wider global economic crisis has caused the federal government to reduce its 2009 budget by approximately 25 percent, thereby limiting resources for all dependent states and municipalities.

Within this context, parties continue to be faced with challenges, including limited ability to aggregate and represent citizen concerns from all sectors of society and a weak capacity for internally democratic and inclusive party structures.

Building on its activities in Venezuela since 1995, NDI seeks to help reduce political polarization and to support democratic practices by working in partnership with Venezuelans to share international experiences for the reform and modernization of political parties.

Political Party Strengthening

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