Venezuela’s opposition won control of the legislature from the ruling Socialists for the first time in 16 years on Sunday (December 6), giving them a long-sought platform to challenge President Nicolas Maduro.
Election board head Tibisay Lucena said the opposition Democratic Unity coalition won 99 seats to the Socialists’ 46 in the 167-national National Assembly with some districts still to be counted.
“In nominal mode, the Socialist United Party of Venezuela has 24 nominal representatives, in list mode 22 representatives for a total of 46 deputies. The opposition coalition, in the nominal mode has 72 deputies, 27 in list mode for a total of 99 deputies. There are still 17 nominal deputies and 2 list deputies to be determined for a total of 19 seats still not decided,” she said.
When she finished speaking, fireworks went off in pro-opposition districts of Caracas.
Maduro, 53, quickly acknowledged the defeat, the worst for the ruling “Chavismo” movement since its founder Hugo Chavez took power in the South American OPEC nation in 1999.
“I recognize these adverse results and accept them and tell our Venezuela that the constitution and democracy have won. We accept the results exactly as the electoral authorities have emanated,” he said on national television.
Maduro blamed an “economic war” against him for the results.
(REUTERS)
