Caracas, Venezuela (CNN) -- President Hugo Chavez's ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela won more seats than opponents in the country's parliamentary elections, but lost the supermajority that has allowed for quick passage of many of Chavez's pet projects.
The ruling party won at least 90 seats, while an opposition coalition won at least 59, said Tibisay Lucena, president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council.
Nearly all of the seats in the country's National Assembly were at stake. Some races were still too close to call when the first round of results were announced early Monday, she said.
Even though Chavez was not on the ballot, the elections were widely seen as a referendum on his presidency, and he took an active role in this year's campaign.
Messages posted on Chavez's Twitter account shortly after the results were announced said, "We have won a solid victory" and "We must continue strengthening the Revolution!".
CNN
