Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez suffered a political blow in congressional elections, losing the ability to pass new laws at will after opposition candidates banded together behind a unified plank of candidates.
Mr. Chávez still enjoys a congressional majority after candidates loyal to him won at least 96 of the 165 seats. But opposition candidates won at least 61 seats, enough to strip Mr. Chávez of his two-thirds majority—the threshold needed to pass sweeping legislation in the congress.
No official vote tally has been released. But the opposition says it also won 52% of the popular vote which, if verified, would provide momentum going into the 2012 presidential elections. “We are the majority,” said Ramón Guillermo Aveledo, an opposition director.
Aristóbulo Istúriz, campaign chief for the socialist PSUV party, also declared the results a victory. “We went for two-thirds and weren’t able to reach it,” he said. “But we’re the majority.” There was little joy at the Socialist party headquarters, which shut its doors as the vote count dragged on into the early hours of the morning.
Stay tuned…
Yep, this could be interesting. I’m betting on a bit of blood shed in the not to distant future.
Are the socialists really beating the communists?
And now we get to see how truly committed Chavez is to democracy.
“Hey Jose! How are those re-education camps coming? Has Manuel got the tanks fired up yet?”
Civil war in Venezuela or just a Stalinesque Purge on enemies of the State?
I think it’s going to be the purge without a free America to back the freer side of a possible civil war.
Gas prices are going up whichever, better keep the tank full.
I predict a number of politicians dying in a bus crash . . .
Yeah, call it a bad time to fly.
Several of them will be disappeared in the ensuing months.
Frankly I’m shocked at the accusations of purges, bus/plane crashes and disappearances. Everyone knows that the left are caring, compassionate, tolerant and diverse. They toil endlessly and selflessly for the good of the people and think nothing of personal wealth or power. Shame on you for casting aspersions on the good name of Chavez.
/
Probably not a good time to be a Venezuelan Polling Officer either…
Hopefully,Chavez has put a few dollars aside in preparation for what could be a defeat at the polls in 2012.
I can’t see there being a civil war,no backers for the less Left. Maybe Obama can send Bill Clinton to calm things down if it gets too bad.
Texas Canuck, here’s a link to one of the folks working at a polling station in Caracas yesterday. http://devilsexcrement.com/
CANTV (now a government owned firm) is the major internet / telecommunications provider in Venezuela and has been blocking access to wordpress sites from within the country since yesterday.
It seems that the clamp on communications is the hallmark of the left.
Not everyone has a WSJ account, others are carrying the story too. 🙁
The biggest change in store for the country, will be that if (if !) H. Chavez is to follow the rules of the constitution, he will need to negotiate with the opposition in order to name to the supreme court, or have any real changes to legislative agenda.
Somehow, most people get that negotiation hasn’t been his strong point.
There is one newspaper in Venezuela that has an english section, they’re calling for PSUV (pro-chavez) 95. Opposition 64. and PPT (which will align with Chavez) with 2 seats.
http://www.eluniversal.com/eng_index.shtml
Stop being mean to Thugo. What have you against dedicated “agrarian reformers”?
I predict the Venezuelan “killing fields” starting about now. There will be all out death squads to reign in the opposition. Will our lefty smucks say or do anything? I think not. Cheers.
Red Shirts on alert.
Right now, government mechanics are checking the oil and airing up the tires on lots and lots of armored vehicles.
Cue the tanks in 3…2…1…
In an unrelated news item, Chavez inks a deal with Caterpillar for a brand new fleet of D-8’s…..
The leftarded parties are losing their grip all across the land, and their supporters are on the cusp of hysteria. Goods time good times in deed.
Fernstalbert said…
“There will be all out death squads to reign in the opposition. Will our lefty smucks say or do anything? I think not. Cheers.”
==========================
I’m pretty sure they will do everything they can to help Chavez.!
Hold the champagne, President Hugo probably gets to certify the validity of all ballots!
Good luck moving him anywhere…
I guess the ads Sean Penn shot in support of huey didn’t help after all. Perhaps Sean can help tie the blindfolds when the crackdown inevitably happens.
Isn’t it about time for the Lib/NDP/Bloc coalition to start drumming up support of Chavez? Oh and the CBC too.
NOW its going to get ugly.
I predict that Hugo won’t have too much traction from this point on.
His ability to do as he pleased depended on the masses getting their pound of flesh from the big bad fat rich guys that where supposed to be keeping the poor masses poor.
Somehow that waited for nirvana doesn’t seem to be materializing, and with the internet leaking the truth out, Hugo’s lies are becoming obvious.
Now that his ability to scare folks is starting to wane, the military will be looking to make sure it doesn’t get dragged to the Hague and will be hesitant to back somebody that is 1- not much loved by the folks with the capital to get Ven’s fiscal house in order 2- the masses are ready to start questioning dear leader’s sanity.
Hugo’s days are numbered.
My long shot call is a midnight run to Cuba, or a shot in the dark.