Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are dealt a blow as the election board decides no recall referendum will take place before the end of the year. <br /><br /> #Venezuela activates second phase for #Maduro recall https://t.co/afWPRlXUKG pic.twitter.com/CKSMsuXxYl— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) September 22, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> Timing is crucial for the opposition. If the referendum takes place after January 10, Vice President Jorge Arreaza will take over even if Maduro loses. <br /><br /> If it were held before that date, the removal of Maduro would trigger a Presidential election. <br /><br /> While opposition to the Socialist leader remains strong, with nearly 1 million marching through Caracas at the start of September, the political system seems slanted against them. <br /><br /> To secure a referendum at all, the opposition must secure signatures from 20% of the population in each state. <br /><br /> Moreover, they will have just three days in October, between the 26 and 28, to do so. <br /><br /> They had hoped the vote could be triggered with support from 20% nationwide. <br /><br /> The opposition had called for 19,500 voting machines to be distributed around the country to collect the necessary signatures. But the election board only approved 5, 392. <br /><br /> Opposition leader Jesus Torrealba of the Democratic Unity coalition condemned the decision. He said “We reject the anti-constitutional elements of this announcement by the election board”. <br /><br /> Venezuela is suffering major economic turmoil, with huge inflation and a third year of recession. <br /><br /> While some evacuate, other businesses are holding out for regime change in Venezuela https://t.co/lgOOuZnrtB pic.twitter.com/Xuu1DtAgne— The Economist (@EconBizFin) September 21, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> President Maduro’s approval rating has plummeted since winning a close election victory in 2013.<br />
