On Sunday Venezuelans will elect a new National Assembly, putting an end to the opposition-controlled legislature that underpinned @jguaidó's widely-recognised claim to be the country's legitimate president. In this thread I explain what's at stake. #venezuelaelections

The mainstream opposition under #Guaidó is boycotting the poll, which it calls a sham, and insisting that President @NicolasMaduro must step down and fresh presidential elections be held. But a number of small parties are taking part, some of them mere appendages of the govt.

The US, the EU and many Latin American nations have said the conditions will not allow a free and fair election. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-Homepage/86152/venezuela-press-release-eu-dialogue-stakeholders-caracas_en

The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and its allies are guaranteed a majority despite their unpopularity, thanks in part to a voting system that violates a constitutional requirement for proportional representation.

The outgoing parliament's leaders say it will continue to function in some form as the legitimate legislature. How - or even whether - to do that, though, is a contentious issue.

The opposition is deeply divided and even Guaido's leadership is under attack, after two years of US-backed "maximum pressure" that has failed to dislodge #Maduro. For now, politically at least, the government is in the driving seat.