CARACAS, Nov 24 (AP): President Hugo Chavez's opponents made important gains in Venezuela's local elections, capturing the Caracas mayor's office and two of the most populous states, but his allies won a strong majority.
With more than 95 per cent of votes counted, pro-Chavez candidates held on to gubernatorial posts in 17 states, while the opposition won five states. Chavez trumpeted his party's domination of Sunday's vote as 'a sign' for him to continue driving Venezuela toward '21st-century socialism'.
"The people are telling me: 'Chavez continue down the same road,'" he said, hinting that he has not abandoned plans for constitutional changes that would expand his powers, push the economy toward socialism and allow him to run for re-election indefinitely.
Voters rejected the president's proposed overhaul of the constitution last year.
Tibisay Lucena, president of Venezuela's election council, said the opposition won in the two most populous states - Miranda and Zulia - as well as Nueva Esparta, Carabobo and Tachira. Opposition leader Antonio Ledezma defeated a close Chavez confidant to become the next mayor of Caracas, the South American nation's capital and largest city.
Chavez's brother, Adan, won a tight race to succeed their father as governor in the president's home state of Barinas.
Turnout topped 65 per cent among the 16.8 million registered voters, a new high for a local election in Venezuela, Lucena said.
Opposition makes gains in Venezuela vote
FE Team | Published: November 25, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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