Venezuela: Opposition parties gain in critical elections

Opponents of Hugo Chávez made major gains yesterday in legislative elections that could weaken the president's dominant power in Venezuela.

The opposition overturned Chávez's two-thirds majority in the national assembly, and claimed to have won most of the popular vote. If it were confirmed, the result would mark a milestone.

With most of the votes counted, the Democratic Unity coalition won at least 65 of 165 seats in the assembly – well short of a majority, but enough to inhibit Chávez's ability to appoint judges and other officials and to push through laws.

The opposition claimed that it had won 52% of the popular vote but argued also that changes in electoral rules favouring rural areas, where Chávez is popular, meant that this support had failed to translate into proportional seats.

Both sides claimed victory and momentum for the 2012 president election, in which Chávez will seek a third consecutive term. Turnout was 66%, high for a legislative election...

...The assembly has acted as a rubber stamp since the opposition boycotted the last legislative election in 2005, giving Chávez free rein to push through radical legislation and appoint judges and members of the electoral council.

By securing more than 58 seats, the opposition can in theory exert influence over appointments and legislation; if it gets 67 – which seems possible – it could block the president's requests for temporary decree powers. Aveledo warned the outgoing "moribund" legislature against rushing out radical laws before the new assembly starts, in January 2011.

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