Chavez’s Party Wins Eight Races in Venezuela Elections
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Candidates from President Hugo Chavez’s party won seven municipalities and one state in regional polls that were the socialist leader’s first test since suffering a setback in September legislative elections, state television reported. His opponents won in four municipalities and one state.
Chavez’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela, or PSUV, lost its two-thirds majority in September parliamentary elections after failing to win the nationwide popular vote. His party held on to 98 of 165 seats in the unicameral legislature after the government redrew electoral districts to favor rural areas where support for Chavez is strongest.