User:Xavexgoem/ChavezResults

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's party won a majority of seats after Sunday's election, although his opposition has made important headway. The election has been regarded as a test of Chavez's influence after his failed constitutional overhaul last year.

The president and many of his supporters declared this election a victory. The opposition has laid equal claim to political progress. Although pro-Chavez candidates held on to 17 gubernatorial posts, a majority of the 22 up for election, the opposition has won five states including Miranda. Caracas is in Miranda, one of the most populous and economically important states in the country. Also in Caracas, the opposition won city hall in the election.

Rural voters were the largest pro-Chavez constituency, though discontent over crime, the economy and poor public services have left some citizens unimpressed with Chavez after 10 years as president.

While Chavez has called the election "a categorical success", opposition leader Manuel Rosales says "What's important is that the map of Venezuela has started to change."

Sources

• Christopher Toothaker. "Opposition makes gains in Venezuela vote" — AP, November 24, 2008
• Rory Carroll. "Chavez party dominates in Venezuela regional elections" — The Guardian, November 24, 2008