By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/opposition-sweeps-venezuelan-parliamentary-elections Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Opposition sweeps Venezuelan parliamentary elections World Dec 7, 2015 9:28 AM EDT Venezuela’s opposition won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, paving the way for a strong challenge to President Nicolas Maduro in the next presidential election in 2019. The opposition coalition won at least 99 seats out of the 167-seat National Assembly, compared to the ruling socialist party’s 46 seats, according to the Associated Press. “I can say today that the economic war has triumphed,” said Maduro at the presidential palace in the capital Caracas after it appeared his party was taking a drubbing. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro talks to the media during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas on Dec. 7. Photo by Miraflores Palace/Handout via Reuters The opposition says the government has run the economy into the ground. The Venezuelan economy has taken a beating from dropping oil prices and triple-digit inflation that has led to long lines at grocery stores and lack of basic necessities. “Venezuela wanted a change and that change came,” said Jesus Torrealba, head of the opposition coalition. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Venezuelans on a peaceful vote. “Venezuelan voters expressed their overwhelming desire for a change in the direction of their country. Dialogue among all parties in Venezuela is necessary to address the social and economic challenges facing the country, and the United States stands ready to support such a dialogue together with others in the international community,” he said in a statement. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
Venezuela’s opposition won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, paving the way for a strong challenge to President Nicolas Maduro in the next presidential election in 2019. The opposition coalition won at least 99 seats out of the 167-seat National Assembly, compared to the ruling socialist party’s 46 seats, according to the Associated Press. “I can say today that the economic war has triumphed,” said Maduro at the presidential palace in the capital Caracas after it appeared his party was taking a drubbing. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro talks to the media during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas on Dec. 7. Photo by Miraflores Palace/Handout via Reuters The opposition says the government has run the economy into the ground. The Venezuelan economy has taken a beating from dropping oil prices and triple-digit inflation that has led to long lines at grocery stores and lack of basic necessities. “Venezuela wanted a change and that change came,” said Jesus Torrealba, head of the opposition coalition. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Venezuelans on a peaceful vote. “Venezuelan voters expressed their overwhelming desire for a change in the direction of their country. Dialogue among all parties in Venezuela is necessary to address the social and economic challenges facing the country, and the United States stands ready to support such a dialogue together with others in the international community,” he said in a statement. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now