[OMANTRIBUNE] Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's popularity has jumped in the run-up to Sunday's crucial legislative election, but probably not enough to prevent an opposition victory, a new survey by a leading pollster said.
Thanks to public ire with a brutal economic crisis caused by dysfunctional controls and the oil price plunge, the opposition has its best shot in 16 years at winning the National Assembly from the ruling Socialists.
But in a boost to the hopes of government candidates, Maduro's popularity jumped more than 11 points to 32.3 per cent in late November, according to the survey by Datanalisis seen by Rooters on Tuesday.
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The firm's head, Luis-Vicente Leon, said this week the ruling 'Chavista' movement, named for Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, had reaped reward for going on the attack against foes, distributing resources in key districts, and reviving the memory of the popular former president during the campaign.
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the Democratic Unity coalition, which groups all main opposition parties, remains in pole position, with 55.6 per cent planning to back the opposition, and 36.8 per cent the government, the survey said. "The main uncertainty is not whether 'Chavismo' or the opposition will win, but what type of majority the opposition will obtain," Leon added in an opinion article this week, saying Maduro's popularity bounce would not swing the election.
The opposition is benefiting from Venezuelans' anger at the world's highest inflation, widespread product shortages and long lines to shop for basics.
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