Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez praised his party's victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections, although it may fail to retain its two-third majority.
With almost 100% of the vote counted, the pro-presidential United Socialist Party of Venezuela has 95 seats in the 165-seat national assembly, below the 110-seat majority required to unilaterally adopt laws and appoint top officials.
"It was a great day and we've claimed a solid victory. [The majority] is sufficient to continue strengthening the democratic and Bolivarian socialism," the Venezuelan president said in an online message.
"Another victory of the people! I congratulate you all," he added.
A coalition of opposition parties, which boycotted the previous 2005 elections, will receive at least 65 seats in the new parliament.
The turnout was 66.4%.
The final results of the vote are expected in the next few hours.
MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti)
