Chavez's Ruling Party Wins Majority In Parliament

Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at a rally for United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidates in Caracas on September 23.

Election officials say Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's ruling Socialist Party has won a majority in parliament in the country's weekend congressional elections.

Results indicate the opposition gained a critical one-third of the seats, officials said.

Some votes remained to be counted, but National Electoral Council president Tibisay Lucena said the Socialists had at least 90 of congress's 165 seats.

Chavez's opponents were hoping to break his long-standing monopoly on power in the National Assembly.

The results of the popular vote have not yet been released.

compiled from agency reports