On Sunday, July 28, 74-year-old Edmundo Gonzalez will be taking on Nicolas Maduro, the heir to the charismatic Hugo Chavez (who served as a president from 1999 until he died in 2013). The incumbent Venezuelan president is seeking a third six-year term. A career diplomat, affable, discreet, and without any political experience, Gonzalez was unknown to voters until three months ago. He became a candidate after the courts declared Maria Corina Machado, who won the opposition primary and is now campaigning on his behalf, ineligible. He outlined the transition he hopes to lead after a victory that he considers "certain."

Believe me, it's a question I ask myself! The only elective office I've ever held was that of class delegate in college. I've never had the ambition of power. I was asked to be a candidate, and I accepted because I believe I can be of use in the democratic reconstruction of my country.

No, I'm not afraid. Venezuelans are ready for a change.

Quite simply because 25 years in power wear down any government. And even more a very bad government like ours. I'll tell you in French: Venezuelans "en ont marre" [are fed up], and they are not afraid to say so. Hugo Chavez was adored, today Nicolas Maduro is jeered. The government has lost its popular base. Another major change is that the entire opposition is now calling to vote – no one calls themselves an abstentionist anymore – and the entire opposition is united behind one program and one candidate. The challenge is to convince everyone that it is worthwhile going to the polls on the 28 to transform Venezuela.

I have said it before and never stopped repeating that my government will be the government of all Venezuelans, including those who don't think like me or didn't vote for me. My message is one of tolerance and reconciliation. I believe that Venezuelans are tired of the aggressive, sectarian, crude rhetoric that the government has been using for a long time. What they want is a government capable of solving the country's problems and rebuilding its institutions.

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