Chavez Allies Win Congressional Majority in Vote

Voters have their finger prints registered in a machine at a polling station during congressional elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

(AP)

"For the opposition it's a mixed bag, but it's a step forward in the sense that they've committed themselves to playing the democratic game," Wilpert added, noting the opposition attempted — and failed — to oust Chavez through a 2002 coup. Then opponents boycotted the last congressional vote in 2005, allowing Chavistas to dominate the assembly.

Ramon Guillermo Aveledo, leader of the opposition coalition, criticized an election law passed by Chavez's allies that redrew some legislative districts and gave greater weight to votes in rural areas, where the president remains more popular. Opposition candidates agreed to participate in the elections and respect the results as long as the vote count was transparent.

Related

WATCH: U.S.-Cuba Relationship Talk of Summit

Under Pressure: U.S. Seeks 'New Beginning' with Cuba

Chavez Hands Obama Book Critical of U.S.

Since he was first elected in 1998, Chavez has fashioned himself as a revolutionary-turned-president, carrying on the legacy of his mentor Fidel Castro, with a nationalist vision and a deep-seated antagonism toward the U.S. government. He has largely funded his government with Venezuela's ample oil wealth, touting social programs targeted to his support base.

During the campaign, Chavez had portrayed the vote as a choice between his "Bolivarian Revolution" and opposition politicians he accuses of serving the interests of the wealthy and his adversaries in the U.S. government.

———

Associated Press writers Fabiola Sanchez, Jorge Rueda and Ian James contributed to this report.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.