by the El Reportero’s news services
Hugo Chávez
The results of Venezuela’s 26 September legislative elections pave the way for an exciting couple of years until the presidential race in 2012. The opposition did as well as expected, given that the playing field was not level. Despite appearances, President Hugo Chávez is only slightly bruised, and will use the result to rebuff those critics who accuse him of undermining democracy.
The vote is a very useful barometer of where the electorate stands after a difficult two years. Chávez, a consummate reader of the public mood, now has a full two years to rebuild and recover some lost support. The opposition has an even bigger challenge to find someone capable of challenging him in 2012. Venezuela, meanwhile, remains as polarised as ever.
