Venezuela's opposition has made gains in regional polls, but President Hugo Chavez's allies have held on to 17 of the country's 22 governorships. The opposition took at least three including the two most populous states, and won mayoral elections in Caracas. The polls were regarded as a critical test for Mr Chavez, whose allies until now controlled 21 states. The president said the outcome of the vote was an endorsement of Venezuela's "socialist project".
With more than 95% of votes counted overall, the opposition won the key states of Miranda and Zulia, the biggest in terms of electorate. They also won mayoral elections in Caracas - formerly held by a Chavez supporter. The post is seen by some as the second most important job in the country. Mayor-elect Antonio Ledezma called on the government to work with him to "rescue Caracas" from problems such as rising crime and ageing infrastructure.
Mr Chavez's Socialist Party also made gains. They held onto the state of Sucre, the central Caracas district of Libertador and the president's home state, Barinas, where his brother was elected governor. The BBC's Will Grant in Caracas says the results have enabled both sides to claim some sort of success. "A new stage is beginning,"
Mr Chavez said. "For me, as the leader of the Venezuelan socialist project, the people are telling me: 'Chavez, keep on the same path.'"
Opposition leader Manuel Rosales said: "What's important is that the map of Venezuela has started to change."
Officials estimated turnout at 65% of Venezuela's 17 million eligible voters, a record for local elections in recent years. As well as governorships, more than 300 mayoral positions were up for grabs. The electoral commission described the conduct of voters as exemplary. The outcomes in two states have not yet been published, but the head of the electoral commission was quoted as saying they had been narrowly won by the opposition.
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