Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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November 25, 2008

Opposition Gains Ground in Venezuela
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2096FD5:A6F02AD83191E1607794C5E7BE51FA0A7F0EB4B66EA3A89D&
 
President Chavez's party wins control of 17 of 22 states, opposition's
gain includes Venezuela's two most populous states Miranda and oil-rich
Zulia 
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's term limit proposal could face an
increased challenge now that the opposition has made modest gains during
Sunday's local elections. Zulia's Governor Manuel Rosales, left,
celebrates with Zulia's governor-elect Plablo Perez after National
Electoral Council announced results of elections, 24 Nov 2008Political
analysts predict the opposition's improved influence will force Mr.
Chavez to use a new strategy to get enough support for a law that would
allow him to run for re-election in 2012 and beyond. In what is seen as
a victory for the opposition, voters rejected ending term limits in a
referendum last year. Analysts say opposition gains in Sunday's election
might further indicate that voters do not want to end the restrictions.
Venezuela's electoral agency says Sunday's voter turnout was 65 percent.
Mr. Chavez's socialist party won control of 17 of the 22 states.
Authorities say the opposition won the other five, including the
country's two most populous - Miranda and oil-rich Zulia. In addition,
the opposition won the mayor's seat in the capital, Caracas. Opposition
candidates also won in Maracaibo, Venezuela's second biggest city and in
Sucre municipality, once a base of support for Mr. Chavez. Some
information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. 


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