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Simón Bolívar Great Patriotic Pole Gran Polo Patriótico Simón Bolívar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | GPPSB; GPP |
| Leader | Delcy Rodríguez |
| Founder | Hugo Chávez |
| Founded | 7 October 2011 (2011-10-07) |
| Ideology | Bolivarianism Chavismo Left-wing nationalism Left-wing populism Socialism of the 21st century Anti-imperialism Anti-capitalism Anti-Americanism |
| Political position | Left-wing tofar-left |
| Colors | Orange,blue,red,yellow |
| Seats in theNational Assembly | 253 / 285 |
| Governors of States | 19 / 23 |
| Mercosur | 18 / 23 |
| Mayors | 306 / 337 |
| Website | |
| granpolopatriotico.org.ve (archived) | |
Simón Bolívar Great Patriotic Pole (Spanish: Gran Polo Patriótico Simón Bolívar, AbbrevatedGPPSB or simplyGPP) is a significantleft-wingelectoral alliance and popular front in Venezuela that was established to bring togetherpro-governmentpolitical parties,social movements, andgrassroots organizations in support of theBolivarian Revolution, a political initiative started byHugo Chávez and carried out underNicolás Maduro.[1][2]Bolivarianism,21st-century socialism,anti-imperialism, andleft-wing populism are all promoted within Venezuela's political system by this dominant political coalition that supports theUnited Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its allies.[2]
The origins of the Great Patriotic Pole can be traced back to early coalitions formed byChávez in the late 1990s, which united a number ofnationalist andleftist parties in support of his plans for social and political change after the1998 presidential election.[3] In order to uniteleft-leaning parties and movements around Chávez's presidential campaigns andBolivarian reforms, a precursor electoral coalition known as the Polo Patriňico existed.[4]
Months before the2012 Venezuelan presidential election, on October 7, 2011, the current version, the Simón Bolívar Great Patriotic Pole, was formally established. Its official electoral function began in 2012. By bringing together variousleft-wing,socialist, andpro-Bolivarian parties and movements under one banner, it was meant to strengthen support for Chávez's reelection. Despite thePSUV's dominance, the alliance aimed to create a broad political front by incorporating smaller parties,community councils,labor organizations, and grassroots collectives.[5]
TheBolivarian Revolution, which is characterized by state-ledsocial welfare programs,economic nationalization,participatory democracy mechanisms likecommunal councils, and a foreign policy based onanti-imperialism andregional integration, has been closely associated with the GPP since its founding.[1] Throughout numerous national and local elections, the alliance has been the main electoral vehicle for promoting these policies.
Early on, the GPP was successful in winning important political victories, such as backingChávez's reelection in 2012 and other elections.[5] UnderPresident Maduro's direction, the coalition persisted afterChávez's death in 2013, running inmunicipal,legislative, andgubernatorial elections as the main platform forpro-government candidates.[6]
The coalition has historically included a wide range of smaller political parties and movements that are in line withleftist,socialist,Bolivarian, andanti-imperialist ideologies, even though theUnited Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) is still the main force within the Great Patriotic Pole.[7] Among them are:
In comparison to thePSUV's hegemony, the influence of many smaller parties within the coalition has diminished over time, and some factions have split or formed alternative alliances that are critical of the government while still sharing similar ideological foundations.
Bolivarianism, which combinesVenezuelan nationalism,socialism,participatory democracy, andanti-imperialist rhetoric inspired bySimón Bolívar's legacy, is the ideological foundation of the GPP.[8] This foundation of ideology highlights:
Expandingsocial welfare programs,redistributing wealth, and giving the government control over key economic sectors are all examples of social andeconomic equality.[1]
Anti-imperialism is the defense ofLatin American sovereignty and opposition to allegedforeign intervention, especially byWestern nations.[1]
Supporting grassroots institutions likepopular assemblies andcommunal councils is known asparticipatory and communal democracy.[1]
National Unity and Integration: under progressive leadership, Venezuelan sovereignty is promoted along with regional integration projects inLatin America and theCaribbean.[1]
While maintaining a strongleft‑wing identity, the coalition has also been characterized by critics as prioritizing political loyalty and centralized authority, with some observers highlighting concerns aboutcorruption,clientelism, and concentrated power within Venezuelan state structures.[9]
International analysts,civil society organizations, andopposition parties have all harshly criticized the Great Patriotic Pole, claiming that:
It has suppressed dissident voices within the largerleft and consolidated political power within thePSUV.[9]
Allegations of irregularities, low turnout, and restrictions on opposition participation have plagued electoral processes under its control.[10]
Economic crises,hyperinflation, and sharp drops in public services andoil production have all occurred during the coalition's governance.[1] Opponents attribute these results to institutional flaws,corruption, and poor management rather than just ideological factors.
In response, supporters argue that the alliance reflects a genuine popular will, a commitment tosocial inclusion andsovereignty, andresilience against outside pressures likeeconomic sanctions.
The GPP is composed of the following political parties:
| Party | Spanish name | Leader | Ideology | National Assembly | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Socialist Party of Venezuela | Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela | Nicolás Maduro asPresident Diosdado Cabello as Parliamentary Leader | Chavismo Bolivarianism Socialism of the 21st century | 219 / 277 | Majority |
| Fatherland for All (section) | Patria Para Todos | N/a | Democratic socialism Libertarian Marxism | 8 / 277 | |
| Tupamaro (section) | Tendencias Unificadas Para Alcanzar el Movimiento de Acción Revolucionaria Organizada | N/a | Communism Marxism–Leninism Guevarism Foco theory Revolutionary socialism | 7 / 277 | |
| For Social Democracy | Por la Democracia Social | Didalco Bolívar | Social democracy | 4 / 277 | |
| Republican Bicentennial Vanguard | Vanguardia Bicentenaria Republicana | N/a | Bolivarianism | 0 / 277 | |
| Venezuelan Popular Unity | Unidad Popular Venezolana | N/a | Anti-imperialism | 2 / 277 | |
| Alliance for Change | Alianza para el Cambio | Carlos Vargas | Social democracy | 3 / 277 | |
| People's Electoral Movement | Movimiento Electoral del Pueblo | N/a | Left-wing populism | 3 / 277 | |
| Organized Socialist Party in Venezuela | Partido Socialista Organizado en Venezuela | Fernando Lisboa | Democratic socialism | 0 / 277 | |
| Movement We Are Venezuela | Movimiento Somos Venezuela | Delcy Rodríguez | Left-wing nationalism | 5 / 277 | |
| Networks Party | Partido Redes | Juan Barreto | Chavismo | 0 / 277 | |
| Authentic Renewal Organization | Organización Renovadora –Auténtica | N/a | Christian democracy | 2 / 277 | |
| Venezuelan Revolutionary Currents | Corrientes Revolucionarias Venezolanas | Ramsés Colmenares (es) | Communism | 0 / 277 | |
| Not members, but politically support the GPP | |||||
| Revolutionary Middle Class | Clase Media Revolucionaria | Reinaldo Quijada | Chavismo | 0 / 277 | Not in government |
| Marxist–Leninist Communist Party of Venezuela [Wikidata] | Partido Comunista Marxista-Leninista de Venezuela | N/a | Communism Marxism–Leninism Hoxhaism Anti-Revisionism | 0 / 277 | |
| Worker's Party | Partido de los Trabajadores | N/a | N/a | 0 / 277 | |
| National Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election year | No. of overall votes | % of overall vote | No. of overall seats won | +/– | Leader |
| 2015 | 5,625,248 (2nd) | 40.9 | 55 / 167 |  55 | Diosdado Cabello |
| 2020 | 4,317,819 (1st) | 69.3 | 253 / 277 | 198 | Diosdado Cabello |
| 2025 | 5,024,475 (1st) | 83.4 | 253 / 285 | 0 | Jorge Rodríguez |
| Election year | Name | Results | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of overall votes | % of overall vote | |||
| 2012 | Hugo Chávez | 8,191,132 | 55.1 (1st) | |
| Member of "United Socialist Party of Venezuela" party in coalition. Winner | ||||
| 2013 | Nicolás Maduro | 7,587,579 | 50.6 (1st) | |
| Member of "United Socialist Party of Venezuela" party in coalition. Winner | ||||
| 2018 (disputed) | Nicolás Maduro | 6,205,875 | 67.8 (1st) | |
| Member of "United Socialist Party of Venezuela" party in coalition. Winner | ||||
| 2024 (disputed) | Nicolás Maduro | 6,408,844 | 51.95 (1st) | |
| Member of "United Socialist Party of Venezuela" party in coalition. Winner | ||||
| Election year | No. of overall votes | % of overall vote | Governors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,853,494 (1st) | 56.2 | 20 / 23 |
| 2017 | 5,814,903 (1st) | 55.1 | 18 / 23 |
| 2021 | 3,595,490 (1st) | 40.2 | 19 / 23 |
| Election year | No. of overall votes | % of overall vote |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5,216,522 (1st) | 48.7 |
| 2017 | 6,517,506 (1st) | 71.3 |
| 2018 | ~5,519,890 (1st) | 97.3 |
a Also includes some centre-left parties and one right-wing party, but is dominated by the left-wing other than on social policies such as abortion and LGBT rights.
