Venezuela opposition senses victory

Venezuelan opposition leaders said their coalition won control of the legislature from the ruling Socialists for the first time in 16 years on Sunday, giving them a long-sought platform to challenge President Nicolas Maduro.By late evening, however, there was no confirmation from the national electoral board or the government.
Several jubilant leaders of the Democratic Unity opposition coalition told reporters they had gained a majority in the 167-member National Assembly in an election marked by anger over the OPEC nation’s severe economic crisis.
“The results are as we hoped. Venezuela has won. It’s irreversible,” tweeted Henrique Capriles, a former presidential candidate and one of the leading figures in the coalition.
Opposition sources told Reuters they believed the coalition had won around 100 seats in the legislature.
If that result is confirmed, it would not give the opposition power to overhaul the dysfunctional state-led economy but it would shatter the aura of invincibility around the “Chavista” movement named after popular former president Hugo Chavez.
It might also embolden foes to seek a recall election against Maduro in 2016.
It would also be a further blow to Latin America’s left following last month’s swing to the centre-right in Argentina’s presidential election.
The Democratic Unity coalition has capitalised on discontent among Venezuela’s 29 million people with spiraling inflation and product shortage that many blame on Maduro.
“I used to be a proud Chavista,” said Rodrigo Duran, a 28-year-old security guard who switched allegiance in his vote on Sunday. “But how can I carry on when my salary doesn’t allow me to feed my children? They deceived us.”
If its victory is confirmed, Venezuela’s opposition will have the chance to break the ruling party’s control over the budget and seek amnesty for dozens of jailed activists including hardline leader Leopoldo Lopez, the husband of Tintori.
But without a two-thirds majority – or 112 seats – they would be unable to shake up other institutions such as the courts and electoral council, widely viewed as pro-government.
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 nearly four million signatures needed for that.
“We know we’ve won, we don’t know what the government is going to do,” Lilian Tintori, wife of imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez said in a video. “More than 100 legislators, I’m so happy.”
Opposition supporters congregated at a campaign headquarters in a hotel of affluent east Caracas hugged and high-fived, though many cautioned they were still awaiting official confirmation.