By Jorge Di Filippo
CARACAS, Venezuela (AA) – Venezuela's opposition coalition announced Tuesday that they will participate in the country's regional and local elections in November, marking a shift from their past approach of boycotting polls.
"We announce to the national and international community our participation in the regional and municipal processes on Nov. 21," said a statement read to reporters.
Since 2017, the opposition has not taken part in any electoral process, arguing that the country does not have the conditions for "free, fair and verifiable" elections.
The opposition noted, however, that they still believe that the upcoming elections will neither be "fair nor conventional."
They nevertheless argued that the November polls represent a "useful battleground" to push for future presidential and parliamentary elections.
"We understand that it will be a useful battleground to strengthen the citizenry and push for a real solution to our country's serious crisis: free presidential and legislative elections," said the statement.
The statement added that the opposition's decision was taken after a "difficult internal deliberation" motivated by the "urgency to find permanent solutions."
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro "applauded" the opposition's decision to switch their political strategy.
"The decision to participate in the elections once again is worthy of applause," Maduro said on state television.
"A cycle of political stability has been opened that must be at least until 2030," he added.