In a recent development, the European Union was unable to issue a unified statement on the Venezuelan elections, as Hungary exercised its veto power.
The EU had planned to express concern over the results of the election, which saw President Nicolás Maduro declared the victor with approximately 51% of the vote. However, internal sources revealed that Budapest’s refusal to agree to the statement prevented a consensus.
The elections, held on 28th July, were marred by allegations of irregularities. Maduro’s victory was announced by a government-controlled electoral body, sparking immediate backlash from opposition groups who claimed the elections were rigged in favour of the incumbent. The opposition argued that their candidate had actually won, highlighting discrepancies in the reported results.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, initially attempted to issue a statement on behalf of the EU, but faced resistance from Hungary. Instead, Borrell released a personal statement on Monday, acknowledging “credible reports from domestic and international observers indicating numerous deficiencies and violations during the election process.”
Anticipating continued opposition from Hungary, Borrell issued a subsequent statement on Tuesday, reiterating concerns over the election’s legitimacy. He pointed out the stark contrast between the opposition’s data and the results announced by the Venezuelan authorities. “Until the voting records are made public and verified, the already declared election results cannot be recognised,” the statement read.
Hungary’s veto underscores a significant flaw in the EU’s foreign policy mechanism, where unanimity is required for decisions, including potential sanctions. This requirement for consensus has often led to challenges in adopting a unified stance on international issues. Some member states, notably Germany, have advocated for the adoption of qualified majority voting to streamline decision-making in the EU’s foreign affairs.
The situation in Venezuela has drawn international attention, with the United States also expressing “serious concerns” about the veracity of the election results. The U.S. government, along with several other countries, has questioned the credibility of the Venezuelan electoral commission’s announcement.
The inability of the EU to present a unified response reflects the broader challenges faced by the bloc in coordinating a cohesive foreign policy. The Hungarian veto not only stalled the collective statement but also highlighted the difficulties in achieving unanimity among member states, each with their own national interests and foreign policy priorities.
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