Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Chávez Party Heavily Favoured in Venezuela

October 30, 2005
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) heads to this year's legislative election in Venezuela as the top political organization, according to a poll by Instituto Venezolano de Análisis de Datos. 39.8 per cent of respondents would vote for the MVR.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) heads to this year's legislative election in Venezuela as the top political organization, according to a poll by Instituto Venezolano de Análisis de Datos. 39.8 per cent of respondents would vote for the MVR.

The Justice First (PJ) party is in second place with 13.7 per cent, followed by Project Venezuela (Proven) with 5.5 per cent. Two pro-government parties—For Social Democracy (Podemos) and Homeland for All (PPT)—are next with 3.8 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively. Support is lower for Democratic Action (AD) and the Social Christian Party (Copei).

Hugo Chávez established the MVR in 1997. Chávez has served as Venezuela's president since February 1999. In July 2000, he was elected to a six-year term with 59.5 per cent of all cast ballots. In August 2004, Chávez won a referendum on his tenure with 59 per cent of the vote. The special election was called after opposition organizations gathered 2.5 million signatures to force a recall ballot.

In the July 2000 election, the MVR elected 80 lawmakers to the 165-seat National Assembly, followed by an AD-Copei coalition with 37 legislators. The next election is scheduled for Dec. 4.

In his weekly radio and television address, Chávez expressed satisfaction with the pre-election numbers, declaring, "The polls show acceptance to my approach on the need to discuss and build a road towards socialism. Every day this call is being better understood."

Polling Data

Which party would you vote for in this year's legislative election?

Fifth Republic Movement (MVR)

39.8%

Justice First (PJ)

13.7%

Project Venezuela (Proven)

5.5%

For Social Democracy (Podemos)

3.8%

Homeland for All (PPT)

2.4%

Democratic Action (AD)

2.8%

Social Christian Party (Copei)

2.0%

Source: Instituto Venezolano de Análisis de Datos
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Venezuelan adults, conducted from Oct. 7 to Oct. 18, 2005. Margin of error is 2.37 per cent.