Venezuelan opposition wins control of congress, sweeping out ruling socialists

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Venezuela’s opposition won control of congress for the first time in 16 years Monday as voters punished the socialist government for an economic crisis and insecurity in the oil-rich nation.

President Nicolas Maduro promptly accepted the defeat, a blow to his leadership and the “revolution” of “21st century socialism” launched by his late predecessor Hugo Chavez.

The result was a triumph for the center-right opposition, which has struggled for years for a foothold and has seen many of its leaders jailed.

The Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition won a majority of 99 out of 167 seats in the state legislature, the head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Tibisay Lucena, announced shortly after midnight, five hours after polls closed.

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/venezuelan-opposition-wins-control-of-congress-sweeping-out-ruling-socialists/

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1. Maduro admits poll defeat

http://uk.reuters.com/video/2015/12/07/maduro-admits-poll-defeat?rpc=401&videoId=366591481&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=401&videoChannel=1

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2. Maduro accepts Assembly loss, urges peace

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro responded Monday to the outcome of Sunday’s National Assembly (AN) election praising the turnout of nearly 75 percent.

“The constitution and democracy have triumphed, we recognize and accept these results,” said President Maduro.

The comments came in the wake of Sunday’s high stakes AN election, which saw the president’s socialist party, the PSUV, lose its majority in the National Assembly.

The head of Venezuela’s electoral authority announced the results early Monday. The governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela won 46 seats, the opposition coalition won 99 seats, with 19 still to be announced, as well as the three indigenous positions.

http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_72431.shtml