Italy urges Venezuela to hold 'democratic' elections

By Senhan Bolelli</p> <p> <p>MADRID (AA) – The Italian government on Tuesday called for Venezuela to organize fresh democratic and free presidential elections.</p> <p> <p>Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi approved a resolution text on Venezuela following a meeting in prime minister's residence in Rome and presented it to the parliament.</p> <p> <p>Speaking at the parliament, Foreign Minister Milanesi underlined that Italy’s concern on the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and its desire to produce alternative solutions. </p> <p>He added that the government favored a peaceful solution and rejected all forms of violence in the country.</p> <p> <p>Rome did not believe that the last presidential election in Venezuela contributed to President Nicolas Maduro's democratic legitimacy, said Milanesi, urging democratic elections as soon as in Venezuela.</p> <p> <p>Italy's top diplomat asserted that the incidents in Venezuela were being closely monitored by the international community.</p> <p> <p>&quot;According to the government, the situation in Venezuela is complicated and new acts of violence might occur,&quot; he said, adding that fresh elections would serve as a &quot;way out.&quot;</p> <p> <p>On the other hand, the anti-establishment coalition partner Five Star Movement (M5S) underlined that it supported neither Maduro nor Juan Guaido, the self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela.</p> <p> <p>On Monday, Guaido sent delegations to Italy and the Vatican, which did not recognize him as the interim president of Venezuela.</p> <p> <p>The delegation representing Guaido met the foreign minister as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, before moving on to Vatican City.</p> <p> <p>Italy's stance abstaining from openly supporting Guaido prevented the EU from issuing a joint statement recognizing Guaido's &quot;interim presidency.&quot; </p> <p> <p>Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.</p> <p> <p>Tensions rose when opposition leader Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23, a move which was supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.</p> <p> <p>Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have put their weight behind Maduro.