Members of the Venezuelan opposition group the Table for Democratic Unity (MUD) celebrate results of parliamentary elections in Caracas on Monday There were broad smiles among members of the opposition MUD as the results were announced
The Venezuelan opposition has performed well in elections, overturning President Hugo Chavez's two-thirds majority in parliament.
Mr Chavez's United Socialist Party (PSUV) still won a majority of seats in Sunday's poll, but will now be unable to pass major legislation unaided.
The poll was seen as a test of Mr Chavez's popularity ahead of presidential elections in 2012.
An opposition spokesman said he was "very happy" with the results.
The opposition umbrella group he represents, the Table for Democratic Unity (MUD), will now become an important bloc in the parliament, says the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas.
It will be capable of thwarting some of Mr Chavez's key socialist reforms, be they appointments to the Supreme Court or backing for sweeping new laws.
It seems Mr Chavez will now have to find some way to work with the opposition representatives in parliament, our correspondent adds.
