Chavez Hails Socialist Party's Victory In Venezuela Polls

Caracas, Venezuela (AHN) - Anti-U.S. and leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday hailed his socialist party's victory in Sunday's first local elections since he came to power.

Polls results showed Chavez's party winning 17 of 22 states after more than 65 percent of 17 million eligible voters chose their governors, mayors and regional council head.

"A new stage is beginning. For me, as the leader of the Venezuelan socialist project, the people are telling me: 'Chavez, keep on the same path,'" Chavez was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse.

With the win of his party's candidates, Chavez remains as the most popular leader in the South American country despite last year's referendum defeat of his proposal to extend the president's term in office.