Chavez wins fourth term as Venezuelan president
Jubilant supporters of Venzuela’s Hugo Chavez take to the streets as the country’s socialist leader wins his fourth term as president.
President Chavez defeated his main opponent, centre-left “progressive” Henrique Capriles, by 54 per cent to 45 per cent in the voting, which took place yesterday.
In the early hours of this morning Mr Capriles conceded defeat. “I send him my congratulations,” he told a crowd of supporters at his party’s headquarters.
A large number of voters turned out for the election, with the National Electoral Council saying there was an 81 per cent showing from Venezuela’s 19 million registered voters.
In the early hours of this morning President Chavez, who has been in power since February 1999, tweeted his thanks to his countrymen and saying “long live Venezuela”.
Gracias a mi amado Pueblo!!! Viva Venezuela!!!! Viva Bolívar!!!!!
— Hugo Chávez Frías (@chavezcandanga) October 8, 2012
Though the victory has not yet been officially announced, supporters of President Chavez started partying in the streets and setting fireworks off last night. The president appeared on the balcony at the Miraflores palace in Caracas last night to acknowledge their support.
The election pitted the Great Democratic Pole coalition, represented by President Chavez, against the Democratic Unity Roundtable, represented by Mr Capriles.
President Chavez was seeking re-election in order to extend his “21st century socialism” project of greater nationalisation and more rights for the poor. Mr Capriles said he was seeking to follow Brazil’s centre-left example.