In Venezuela, the future of Chavismo is tested

Yesterday's regional elections are viewed as a litmus test for a future presidential race in Venezuela. To many, it shows that Chavismo, Ch?vez?s political and social movement, is alive and well.

By Sara Miller Llana,?Staff Writer, Andrew Rosati,?Correspondent / December 17, 2012

Mexico City; and Caracas, Venezuela

When Venezuela?s leader, Hugo Ch?vez, won a clear victory in presidential elections in October, it was hardly surprising: The opposition had mounted its strongest campaign ever. But over the course of his 14 years in power, Mr. Ch?vez has remained widely popular and been re-elected on four separate occasions ? no matter oil prices, world politics, or who is in charge in Washington.

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Now, Venezuela is facing the very real possibility that Ch?vez, who is in Cuba recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer, might have to step down. So the test came yesterday, in the form of regional elections for 23 governors.

Almost all the states during Sunday's election went with the ruling Socialist Party (PSUV). The results are viewed as a litmus test for a future presidential race, if Ch?vez can no longer run Venezuela. To many, it shows that Chavismo, as Ch?vez's political and social movement is called, is alive and well.

?There is now evidence that Chavismo can survive without Ch?vez,? says Miguel Tinker-Salas, a Latin America studies professor at Pomona College and author of several books on Venezuela.

'Not just about Ch?vez'

In 23 state elections yesterday, 20 governorships were won by Ch?vez allies, while only three went to the opposition,?which had previously held eight. Among the biggest losses were opposition stronghold and oil-rich Zulia state, and Tachira state.??

Some have surmised that Ch?vez allies were voted in by Venezuelans as a message of sympathy and support for Ch?vez the man, but Maria Artiga, a homemaker in one of the poor neighborhoods of Caracas called Petare, says the results show that it?s not just about Ch?vez. ?

"Ch?vez has done so much in los barrios, people want a governor that represents him,? Ms. Artiga says. "I think some people are voting in part to support him while he recovers, but most are voting to support his political program."

The staying power of that political program could be tested very soon. If Ch?vez is unable to stand for his inauguration on Jan. 10, a new election will be called within 30 days. He has named Vice President Nicolas Maduro as his preferred candidate.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/GZZgAg3Uju8/In-Venezuela-the-future-of-Chavismo-is-tested

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