Venezuelan political processes sideline civil society

Significance

A decade after his death, a recent Datanalisis poll gives Chavez the highest approval rating of any political leader, at 56%, compared with 22% for his successor Nicolas Maduro. Enduring loyalty to Chavez among some sectors of the population is an indictment of the post-Chavez political class.

Impacts

• The new NGO law will further erode independent social organisation.
• Lack of attention to pressing social demands will increase public disaffection with both government and opposition.
• The ruling party now appears weaker than in recent electoral contests.