Venezuela’s National Electoral Council has announced that parliamentary elections will be held on December 6. The United Socialist Party of President Nicolas Maduro currently holds a majority in the 167-seat General Assembly, and will choose its candidates in primary elections next Sunday. This year’s elections are seen as crucial for the ruling party, which will seek a new majority in Parliament. The date is a significant one in Venezuela, as President Hugo Chavez was first elected to the presidency on December 6, 1998.