Triumphant Venezuela opposition looks to boost economy, free prisoners
- 8 years ago
Venezuela's opposition vowed on Monday to revive the OPEC nation's troubled economy and free jailed political activists after winning control of the legislature for the first time in 16 years of Socialist rule.
By Monday evening, some results from Sunday's election were not yet in, but the Democratic Unity coalition had already won a commanding majority in the 167-member National Assembly, opening a new chapter in the polarized country's politics.
Opposition leaders said final tallies showed they won a two-thirds majority, or at least 112 seats. That would let them flex their muscles against President Nicolas Maduro by shaking up institutions such as the courts and election board, widely viewed as pro-government.
There was no confirmation of that from the election board, which had yet to announce the results of 22 legislative contests.
By Monday evening, some results from Sunday's election were not yet in, but the Democratic Unity coalition had already won a commanding majority in the 167-member National Assembly, opening a new chapter in the polarized country's politics.
Opposition leaders said final tallies showed they won a two-thirds majority, or at least 112 seats. That would let them flex their muscles against President Nicolas Maduro by shaking up institutions such as the courts and election board, widely viewed as pro-government.
There was no confirmation of that from the election board, which had yet to announce the results of 22 legislative contests.