Maduro rival promises ‘government for all’ if he wins Venezuela election

Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who never before ran for office, hopes for a more democratic and peaceful country'

The soft-spoken septuagenarian who could be on the brink of leading Venezuela into a new political era has promised to build a country of prosperity, democracy and peace if he is elected president, and vowed to govern for all citizens - including supporters of his authoritarian rival Nicolas Maduro.

Retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia is leading the polls ahead of the South American country's 28 July presidential election, despite never having sought elected office and, until recently, being unknown to voters.