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(14 Aug 2017) The German government condemned the white nationalist rally in Virginia that turned violent, saying Berlin stands in solidarity with those who "stand peacefully against such aggressive extreme-right opinions."Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters Monday that it was an "absolutely repulsive scene at this extreme-right march."He added that it's "completely contrary to what the chancellor and the German government works for politically, and we are in solidarity with those who stand peacefully against such aggressive extreme-right opinions."Seibert also condemned the ongoing situation in Venezuela.Venezuela is facing mounting pressure and threats of deepening sanctions from trade partners. It was recently suspended from South America's Mercosur trade bloc and the Trump administration sanctioned several top officials including Maduro.The new constitutional assembly had signaled it will act swiftly in following through with Maduro's commands. It voted to replace chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz with a government loyalist and create a "truth commission" that will wield unusual power to prosecute and levy sentences.Seibert called for Ortega to be protected and for violence against government opponents to stop. He demanded the release of all political prisoners.Opposition parties in Venezuela face a rapidly approaching deadline to decide whether they will take part in regional elections scheduled for December. Candidates are expected to sign up to run this week.Opposition members refused to participate in the election for delegates to the constitutional assembly but have thus far been divided on taking part in the contests for governors.You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you... Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

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AP Archive 4110759 017b6cd4e94969291c0a4f4c2e796e3f Germany Briefing Steffen Seibert Angela Merkel Venezuela Latin America and Caribbean Western Europe Berlin Government and politics Social affairs