As Peace Patriot already pointed out in a message posted in this forum, Venezuelan opposition BOYCOTTED the last election totally. OF COURSE THEY WOULD HAVE GAINED GROUND over their last election. What could be more obvious?
As a reminder, an article from that time:
Opposition boycott as Venezuela heads for elections
Posted on: Wednesday, 30 November 2005, 22:43 CST
By Patrick Markey
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Most of Venezuela's main opposition parties are boycotting legislative elections on Sunday that could allow President Hugo Chavez to consolidate his self-proclaimed socialist revolution.
Accusing election officials of favoring Chavez, opposition parties fell into disarray just days before the election after struggling to compete with the president who has spent billions in oil revenues on health and education for the poor.
"We believe that a true, autonomous and independent electoral judge would not subject the people to elections in these conditions," Justice First party spokesman Gerardo Blyde said announcing his party's withdrawal.
Chavez, an ally of Cuba who has become one of Washington's fiercest critics, blasted the opposition boycott as a U.S.-backed propaganda move meant to strip the vote of its legitimacy and stoke tensions against his government.
"Venezuelans, like all people, have a right to free and fair elections," said U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, rejecting the charges of U.S. meddling. "We are concerned that this right is increasingly in jeopardy."
Polls show Chavez is Venezuela's most popular leader and the opposition boycott could hand lawmakers supporting him the majority to pass reforms that critics fear will strengthen his hold on power before 2006 presidential elections.
More:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/international/317902/opposition_boycott_as_venezuela_heads_for_elections/index.html
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