August 9th
* The National Electoral Council (CNE) board of directors decided indirectly on the single opposition candidate and the destiny of primary elections called by NGO Súmate. They "construed" unanimously that a recent ruling from the Constitutional Court, Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) does not compel Manuel Rosales, the governor of western Zulia state, to resign in the event of standing for presidential election.

On July 29th, the justices overruled a petition to revision, brought by the Electoral Power. They noted that any officials running for re-election do not need to quit their posts.

* At Caracas Teleport building in Plaza Venezuela, Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales launched his candidacy as the single opposition candidate running for president during the elections to be held next December 3rd.

"Today is a day to put aside personal ambitions and think of unity. It is important, because this year Venezuela is at the crossroads -either it continues on the way to division and unemployment or takes the way of peace and progress," Julio Borges for Primero Justicia (PJ), said after waiving his nomination.

"We are putting Venezuela together again. Everyone must do his bit in order to unite the country."

He asked the public to applause all the nominees who agreed to choose the single candidate, namely Teodoro Petkoff, William Ojeda, Cecilia Sosa, Vicente Brito, Froilán Barrios, Sergio Omar Calderón and Enrique Tejera París.

Amidst the highest accolade, Manuel Rosales took the floor. He announced straight to the point that the social area will be the backbone of his government program. It will be a "sound and well defined" program, he noted.

The local ruler explained that his government plan include really fair allocation of oil revenues by means of two axes -minimum wage for all unemployed and direct contribution to the underprivileged.

* NGO Súmate director María Corina Machado informed that the primary elections aimed at selecting a single challenger of Hugo Chávez in next presidential elections will not be held, since the candidates registered for these polls decided to give up and back Manuel Rosales as the single opposition candidate.

Machado said that the primaries initiative accomplished its goal and that Súmate would continue working to ensure clean elections and respect for citizens' rights.

August 10th
* Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales promised not to waive his nomination to encourage abstention. "We will not return halfway. We will go until the very end. We are heading for Miraflores," he admonished while inaugurating his single opposition candidacy.

During the ceremony attended by all pre-candidates enrolled in primaries, Rosales acknowledged the efforts of the nominees who resigned to favor his candidacy. He promised that from now on, he would work with them.

He thanked particularly Teodoro Petkoff. "He is a man who teaches us everyday; one of the most brilliant men; one of the best children of this land." He also thanked candidate Julio Borges for Primero Justicia. "He is a representative of the new generations, a big-hearted fighter."
 
During the ceremony held in Caracas Teleport building, he brought in the main guidelines of his government blueprint. The social issue was top in the agenda. It includes two axes. Firstly, a minimum wage for unemployed, "for the State to help them find a job." Secondly, a financial tool involving a direct contribution of USD 280 and USD 466, according to oil prices, and for the middle-class and the underprivileged.

Rosales made emphasis on private property and respect for human rights. "Title to lands should be granted to tenants, because the land is not a government property. However, this should be made without the need to run over anybody. And if there is need to procure lands and pay for improvements, we will do it. That is what such a rich and economically powerful country is for."

Respect for human rights will prevail during his government, he asserted. "It is sacred for us, and also the fight for social justice. All of us should have what we are entitled to have. All of us should be the owners of our property, of what we have and what we look forward to."

* "The primaries initiative accomplished its goal: the purpose of unity was met." In this way, María Corina Machado, the director of NGO Súmate formalized during a press conference the suspension of the election initiative.

The decision was made because pre-candidates enrolled to run for primary election next Sunday (Julio Borges, William Ojeda, Cecilia Sosa, Vicente Brito, Froilán Barrios, Sergio Omar Calderón and Enrique Tejera París) waived their nominations on behalf of Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales.

"This is the greatest accomplishment; it is a victory. Today a fundamental goal in the primaries -a united platform- was attained. We just need to strive for election conditions.  This is the task and the big challenge which lay ahead," Machado noted.

The official thinks that Súmate did not waste its time, as a "big united platform" was fostered and a number of citizens were trained and get ready to defense democracy.

August 11th
* Without mentioning an agreement reached by the opposition on a single candidate, President Hugo Chávez, based on "a clearer outlook," will enroll Saturday as candidate for re-election.

"I wish my opponents not to throw in the towel before the bell rings," the ruler said during a rally in eastern Anzoátegui state.

He asserted that the US Government and "domestic lackeys" cashed in on elections, such as in Brazil and Venezuela, to "escalate the campaign and keep uncertainty and division."