Cuba’s Castro consoles ally Maduro after Venezuela vote setback

“The most likely outcome is a simple majority by the opposition, and this is also arguably the best result, as it would force negotiations between an opposition-controlled National Assembly and the Chavistas”, Gibbs told Anadolu Agency, referring to supporters of the fiery brand of Bolivarian socialism of popular late president Hugo Chavez, whose face was ubiquitous in the government’s campaigns and speeches.

The governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), however, retains wide support in rural areas, and will continue to control the presidency.

The ballot Sunday saw the liberal opposition to President Nicolas Maduro took 99 of 167 parliamentary seats in a provisional vote count, with the ruling, socialist PSUV party winning 46 seats.

“Venezuela has won”, Henrique Capriles, leader of one of the parties in MUD, said as fireworks burst over the capital and the opposition continued to celebrate, according to Agence France-Presse.

The opposition victory was the first after nearly 17 years, and it disrupts the socialist revolution started by the late President of the country, Hugo Chavez, who managed to drastically lower the poverty rate in Venezuela and increase social spending and investment in health and education.

Maduro’s term is due to end in 2019, but Sunday’s election could build momentum within the opposition to push for a recall referendum next year if it garners the almost four million signatures needed for that. “I’ve said we’ll take the fight to the streets, but maybe I was wrong”. Opposition leaders had earlier claimed they won but gave no indication of the margin.

The U.S. State Department on Friday muted some of its past criticism but said it would be watching closely, and called on the National Electoral Council to ensure a fair vote. But reining in Maduro, who became president after Chavez died in 2013, would require new laws needing at least a three-fifths majority, or 101 seats – two more than now held by the socialists.

There was some evidence of that in Caracas, with pro-government posters and some supporters outside a polling station in Bellas Artes.

“Our time has arrived”, said Diana Rodriguez, 37, a teacher and mother-of-two voting in affluent east Caracas dressed in white in solidarity with imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and other activists in jail.

Venezuela is struggling to tackle unchecked crime and shortages in basic goods while inflation has soared to triple digits.

Opinion polls had shown frustration of people over chronic product shortages and high inflation and a poll hammering for Venezuela’s socialists was in cards.

The government’s defeat was another blow to Latin America’s left following last month’s swing to the center-right in Argentina’s presidential election.

On Venezuela’s overwhelmingly pro-government television channels, supporters and officials of anti-US President Nicolas Maduro’s government appeared urging people to come out and vote.

The opposition won most of the seats with bigger margins than expected.

The government has accused them of corruption or conspiring to overthrow the government.

Maduro has blamed the situation on an “economic war” waged against his government by the opposition.

Although the opposition is believed to have an advantage, it’s still unclear how that lead will play out in the final results.