Chavez, opposition share election spoils

Caracas: President Hugo Chavez's left-wing party and the growing opposition shared the spoils of Venezuela's local elections as they jostled for political momentum in the Opec nation on Monday.

Chavez's socialist allies won a clear majority of state races but the multi-party opposition dented his dominance of regional posts, wrenching from him control over some of Venezuela's most populous areas including the capital Caracas.

Running in 2012

The results of Sunday's elections could make more challenging Chavez's goal of changing the law to run for re-election in 2012, especially after Venezuelans rejected the move last year in a referendum.

His allies won 17 of 20 states despite widespread voter complaints the government has done too little to control some of the world's worst murder rates and Latin America's highest inflation.

The opposition held onto the two states it won at the last regional elections four years ago and also beat Chavez veteran aides in the heavily populated state metropolitan area around Caracas as well as the mayoralty of the capital.

In the two remaining state races, which the national election authority said were too close to call, the opposition claimed slim victories, citing official local results.

The mixed results triggered a public relations battle as each side fought to seize the momentum by persuading Venezuelans it was the victor in an election where a high 65-per cent of voters cast ballots.

The outcome of the post-election tussle could determine if Chavez has enough backing to realise his reelection ambitions.

Chavez, who had campaigned frenetically saying his political future was at stake, claimed victory.