MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuelan presidential inflation: 28 candidates

A total of 28 hopefuls have been confirmed as presidential candidates for Venezuela's elections scheduled for next December 3, Tibisay Lucena, president of the National Electoral Council announced Friday

"This is a record number of candidacies, of which seven are women, a milestone for Venezuela", added Ms Lucena.

The number of political organizations registered and participating in the December general election also has no precedent in Venezuelan history: 103.

President Hugo Chavez who is running for re-election has a comfortable lead in the public opinion polls.

In spite of the proliferation of hopefuls the political opposition agreed on an only candidate, Social Democrat Manuel Rosales, currently governor of the western state of Zulia which is the most populated of Venezuela.