Venezuela: the Opposition wins. But by how much?

The fireworks that went off over parts of Caracas were a good sign, considering the alternative, indicating a victory for the Opposition. So, with many seats declared, where are we?

In the constituency contests, La Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD) has won seventy-two seats out of ninety-six, the balance going to the ruling Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV). Pretty clear cut, I'd say.

In the list contest, the D'Hondt system used means that, with two seats to be won in each state, the Opposition have to get more than twice as many votes as PSUV in order to take both seats. Ironically, D'Hondt makes the result less proportionate, and MUD have won twenty-seven seats, as opposed to the PSUV's twenty-two.

There are seats for indigenous people, and whilst three have been decided, it isn't clear yet what impact they have.

So, with twenty-two results still to be declared, MUD lead by ninety-nine seats to forty-six, and a majority is theirs.

One notable outcome is the election of Venezuela's first transgender Parliamentarian, here in Caracas. Tamara Adrian was elected via the state list with 74% of the vote, as MUD swept the board, in both the list and constituency contests.