Opposition Wins Parliamentary Elections in Venezuela

The election monitoring body in Venezuela states that the opposition has secured the majority of seats in the parliamentary elections. The President of the National Electoral Council of Venezuela officially announced the results on December 7, stating that out of 167 seats, the opposition has obtained 99 seats. Previously, coalition leaders from opposition parties and groups had claimed that they achieved a majority in the parliamentary elections. This is the first time in 16 years that the socialists have relinquished control of the legislature. The party of President Nicolas Maduro, the 'United Socialist Party', has secured 46 seats. The results for 22 other seats have yet to be announced. It is expected that Mr. Maduro, who took power after the death of Hugo Chavez, will face significant political challenges. Reuters reported in the past hours, citing an official from the coalition, that it is estimated they will obtain 100 seats in total. Prior polls also indicated that the opposition was leading against Maduro. Inflation, falling oil prices, rising costs of essentials like food, and various reports of financial corruption have significantly diminished the popularity and acceptance of the socialists in recent months. International bodies have stated that the government has not allowed foreign monitoring of the elections. Almost all important state institutions are under the control of the ruling socialists. Mr. Maduro's presidential term ends in 2019. With the opposition coalition's victory, they could intensify their efforts for a referendum in the coming year.