The European Parliament recently voted to recognize Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate and democratically elected President of Venezuela. This marked the first time since June’s European elections that mainstream conservatives united with the far right on a vote. The resolution was a joint effort by the European People’s Party (EPP), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and the far-right Patriots for Europe. The symbolic vote passed with 309 votes in favor, 201 against, and 12 abstentions, causing a division within the parliament’s pro-European coalition of centrist groups. The resolution called for EU governments to recognize González’s victory and issue an international arrest warrant for Nicolás Maduro, who claimed a disputed victory in July’s presidential election.
The Venezuelan opposition provided voting records indicating that González won the presidential vote by a landslide in July, backed by a United Nations report. However, member states have refrained from recognizing him until the Venezuelan electoral council (CNE) publishes the verified breakdown of the vote. González has been granted political asylum in Spain, where the right-wing opposition parties recently passed a motion recognizing him as the legitimate president. The socialist government led by Pedro Sánchez has faced criticism for not making a similar declaration. Spanish MEP Javi López explained that the center-left faction voted against the resolution to uphold coherence with member states and ensure that legitimate recognition is achieved through institutional actions.
EPP lawmaker Antonio López-Istúriz emphasized the importance of supporting the Venezuelan people who voted against the system. He called for sanctions against members of the Maduro regime while distinguishing between targeted measures and sanctions that impact the population at large. Tensions between the Venezuelan regime and the EU, particularly Spain, have escalated following the contested re-election of Maduro. The Spanish ambassador in Caracas was expelled by the Maduro regime after Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles referred to the regime as a dictatorship. The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, echoed this sentiment, describing the regime as dictatorial and authoritarian.
The resolution to recognize González as the legitimate president of Venezuela has raised concerns within the European Parliament, as it marks a departure from the typical cooperation between centrist and far-right factions. The vote highlighted divisions within the pro-European coalition, particularly between the center-right EPP and other mainstream conservative parties. The resolution, while symbolic and not legally binding, reflects growing support for the Venezuelan opposition leader across EU member states. The EU’s response to the political crisis in Venezuela has become increasingly critical of the Maduro regime, with calls for international recognition of González’s victory and targeted sanctions against key regime officials.
The recognition of González as the legitimate president of Venezuela has implications for EU foreign policy and relations with the region. The vote in the European Parliament represents a shift in support for the Venezuelan opposition leader, with mainstream conservative parties aligning with the far right on this issue. The involvement of the EPP, ECR, and far-right Patriots for Europe in the resolution indicates a willingness to challenge the status quo within the EU. The response from member states, particularly Spain, has varied, with some governments hesitating to formally recognize González while others have taken a more proactive stance. The situation in Venezuela remains complex, with ongoing protests, economic challenges, and political instability contributing to the broader crisis.
