MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Chavism” virtually unrivalled in Venezuela.

Following the protested landslide victory in Venezuela's last Sunday's regional and municipal elections, the coalition led by President Hugo Chavez had made “chavismo” the main political force of the country with control over the Executive branch, Congress and regional governments, including Caracas the capital.

Opposition was virtually left out of the political scenario after only managing to retain two of the 23 states of the country, which comes on top of its combined 45% participation in the National Assembly.

However analysts also point out that Sunday's results represent a new start for the country's political system particularly the government which will no longer have the opposition to blame for its failings.

"There are no longer excuses for the government, there are no opposition groups limiting its actions", pointed out political scientist Marta Sosa from the Simon Bolivar University.

"From now on Chavism will have to look the people in the face and show their electorate (60% of the population) that it can effectively rule benefiting the poor and middle class", underlined Ms. Sosa, who also cautions that Mr. Chavez hegemony is based on the so called "missions" or social programs created in 2003 to grant the less fortunate health, education and scholarships.

Latest opinion polls undertaken by the Simon Bolivar University show that the "missions" have reached 17% of the population but70% are waiting for a similar privilege.

"Any hope which does not crystallize turns back on whoever launched it in first place", warns Ms. Sosa who believes that after the defeats experienced in last August recall referendum and Sunday's regional and municipal elections, the Venezuelan opposition, made up of 40% of the electorate, "is in disarray and orphan of leaders".

However some opposition candidates refuse to acknowledge defeat until the final and definitive count of votes. Four of the five opposition candidates for governor who lost their posts have refused to accept the initial figures from the Electoral Court CNE.

Enrique Mendoza, a former leader of the dismantled Democratic Coordinator opposition coalition and governor of Miranda state, insisted he had won his race and warned that he would defend his victory "even if it means taking back to the streets".

According to a provisional CNE release with 76% of ballots counted, Mr. Mendoza had received 256,000 votes and his opponent Vice President Diosdado Cabello 284,000

Another governor who is fighting back is Enrique Salas from Carabobo state. Mr. Salas has rejected CNE results insisting he was 20 points ahead of the ruling-party opponent, retired Gen. Luis Acosta. A CNE count of 71% of ballots cast, however, shows Mr. Salas with 217,000 votes and General Acosta, 224,000.

But many opposition members are alos looking among their own ranks for those responsible for the latest defeat, the ninth straight suffered at the polls, and have turned their sights on those who encouraged abstention and those who thought television was the best way to reach voters.

Opposition leader Haydee Ducht criticized the abstention strategy embraced by major opposition groups after their defeat in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. Ms. Ducht blamed voter indifference on "paper leaders" who appeared on television programs instead of direct grassroots contact with voters.

Faced with the possibility that Mr. Mendoza or Mr. Salas supporters take to the streets, Communications and Information Minister Andres Izarra on Monday said legal mechanisms are available for channelling any protest or complaints about the election process or results.

"They have the right to appeal results, of going to the Supreme Court and appealing to all available legal mechanism for defending their position, but they can't go outside the law and create havoc" said Mr. Izarra.

All indicators point to an abstention rate of more than 50% warned the minister noting that such a figure corresponds with historical turnout percentages in regional and municipal elections.

Mr. Izarra also pointed out that if Mr. Mendoza does lose the governor's seat, the leadership of the opposition will fall upon Manuel Rosales, the only opposition leader to be re-elected.