Opposition wins majority in Venezuelan parliamentary elections

Venezuela's opposition coalition won a majority in parliament during legislative elections Sunday, the country's National Electoral Council (CNE) said Monday.

CNE President Tibisay Lucena said the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) has won 99 seats out of 167 in the National Assembly, while the pro-presidential United Socialists Party of Venezuela has taken 46.

Lucena said the results for 22 other seats had not yet been confirmed.

The result strengthened the opposition's hand against President Nicolas Maduro though it was short of the super majority the MUD had hoped for.