Referendum: Venezuela nearly turned socialist (updated)

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Referendum: Venezuela nearly turned socialist (updated)

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At 1:15 AM on Monday 3 December 2007, the Venezuelan Electoral body (CNE) issued its first official preliminary report. The Venezuelan referendum on Constitutional reform- 69 articles- consisted of two proposals.  President Hugo Chavez made one proposal and the Venezuelan Congress or National Assembly made a second one.   Unlike previous reports from international agencies such as Reuters, Guardian and Aljazeera, just over 50.70% - 4 million five hundred voters-rejected the proposals made by President Chavez while 49% approved it. Proposals made by the National Assembly for a Constitutional reform were rejected by 51%  of the votes. Turn out during the referendum was just over 55% of the 16 million electorate. Such outcome and participation shows how a portion of Venezuelan society is ideologically divided while another big section is somehow unconvinced by politics.

This is the first time in eight years the opposition manages to win an election. During a televised message from the Presidential Palace, President Hugo Chavez readily acknowledged defeat and congratulated the opposition. In addition, he declared once again it was not possible to change the constitution "for now". Such comment echoes a famous phrase Chavez coined when first defeated at a coup attempt in 1992 against former president Carlos Andres Perez. He then managed to come back and gain power democratically. 

After this referendum defeat, Chavez would not be able to remain in office indefinitely but 2012. His administration would now confront further pressure over its social programme efficiency.  One of the outcomes of the opposition victory is the emergence of a new student leadership. They might become meaningful actors in the years to come if allowed to mature outside the aegis of traditional parties. Caracas and other cities in Venezuela celebrate the victory of the opposition.   

PS: There has been a very quiet day for Venezuelans today after the electoral exercise yesterday. OAS and EU have both congratulated Venezuela for its democratic referendum. On the other hand, Cuba outlined the ethical attitude of President Chavez at recognizing defeat. Spain and regional leaders and governments- Brazil, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Mexico - also hailed Chavez´ democratic reaction to the referendum results. While the US considered results as good omen and hailed Chavez defeat, there have been new reports linking opposition students to USAID 

Sources: CNE, Globovision, Telesur, El Universal, Prinside, RNV, VTV, VIVE, ABN, BBC Mundo,Aljazeera, BBC, CNN, El País.es, FT, Guardian, Independent, Le Figaro, Liberation, VOA,RFI, LA Times, NYTimes, Venezuelanalysis.        

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