- Copei
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Copei – Social Christian Party of Venezuela
Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente – Partido Social Cristiano de Venezuela
Leader Roberto Enriquez Twitter: @RobertoEnriq Founded January 13, 1946 Headquarters Caracas Ideology Christian democracy International affiliation Centrist Democrat International Seats in the National Assembly 8 / 165Website http://www.partidocopei.org.ve
http://www.copei.netPolitics of Venezuela
Political parties
ElectionsCopei – Social Christian Party of Venezuela (Copei, Partido Social Cristiano de Venezuela) is a third way political party in Venezuela. The name stands for Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente ("Political Electoral Independent Organization Committee"). It was founded on January 13, 1946, by Rafael Caldera (who later served as president under the party's banner). Copei, along with Democratic Action, was the dominant Venezuelan party from 1958 to 1998. The only other Copei member to preside over Venezuela was Luis Herrera Campins, between 1979 and 1983. The party's leaders were Lorenzo Fernández, Eduardo Fernández and Oswaldo Álvarez Paz.
In the 2000 legislative elections the party won 5 of 165 seats in the National Assembly; 4 additional seats were won by an alliance with Democratic Action. In the 2005 legislative elections Copei staged an electoral boycott and so did not win any seats in the National Assembly.
Venezuelan Presidents by COPEI
President Dates in office Form of entry Occupation Rafael Caldera Rodríguez 1969–1974
1994–1999Direct elections Lawyer Luis Herrera Campins 1979–1984 Direct elections Lawyer Further reading
- Brian F. Crisp, Daniel H. Levine and Jose E. Molina (2003), "The Rise and Decline of COPEI in Venezuela", in Scott Mainwaring and Timothy Scully (eds, 2003), Christian democracy in Latin America: electoral competition and regime conflicts, Stanford University Press
External links
Political parties in Venezuela 
Political parties represented in
the National Assembly of Venezuela
(165 seats)United Socialist Party of Venezuela (97) · Democratic Action (19) · A New Era (14) · COPEI (8) · Justice First (6) · For Social Democracy (4) · Project Venezuela (3) · Radical Cause (3) · Fatherland for All (2) · Popular Will (2) · Communist Party of Venezuela (1) · Movement for Socialism (1) · Fearless People's Alliance (1) · Clear Accounts (1) · Emergent People (1) · National Convergence (1) · Justice, Fairness and Loyalty (1)Indigenous people parties in
the National Assembly of Venezuela
(3 seats elected separately)National Council of Venezuelan Indians (1) · Foundation for Integration and Dignification (1) · Autonomous Movement of Zulia (1)Political parties not represented in
the National Assembly of VenezuelaCategories:- Political parties in Venezuela
- Political parties established in 1946
- Venezuela stubs
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