www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/world/americas/03venezuela.html?th&emc=th
Venezuela Hands Narrow Defeat to Chavez Plan By SIMON ROMERO Published: December 3, 2007 CARACAS, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 3 Voters in this country narrowly defeated a proposed overhaul to the constitution in a contentious referendum over granting President Hugo Chavez sweeping new powers, the Election Commission announced early Monday. Chavez Defeated It was the first major electoral defeat in the nine years of his presidency. Voters rejected the 69 proposed amendments 51 to 49 percent. The political opposition erupted into celebration, shooting fireworks into the air and honking car horns, when electoral officials announced the results at 1:20 a.m. The nation had remained on edge since polls closed Sunday afternoon and the wait for results began. The outcome is a stunning development in a country where Mr. Chavez and his supporters control nearly all of the levers of power. Almost immediately after the results were broadcast on state television, Mr. Chavez conceded defeat, describing the results as a photo finish. _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list [email protected] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
