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On 6 December 2015, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won a decisive victory against the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) in Venezuela’s National Assembly election. While the Presidency remains in the hands of the PSUV’s Nicolás Maduro, the MUD’s victory nevertheless marks a major political realignment after 17 years of socialist rule, which began with former President, Hugo Chávez. This paper examines the background to the National Assembly elections and some of the future challenges facing the country.

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