I was disappointed by the caption carried under the picture of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (The Sunday Times, October 14). The caption stated that President Chavez was re-elected “after winning a tough re-election battle that betrayed simmering discontent at his Socialist revolution.”

Chavez obtained about 54.5 per cent of the popular vote. If this result indicates a “tough re-election” and reflects “simmering discontent”, what do the results obtained by Barack Obama (52.9 per cent), Francois Hollande (51.7 per cent), Lawrence Gonzi (49.34 per cent), Marjano Rajoy (44.63 per cent) and Angela Merkel (who heads a coalition that represents 48.4 of the German electorate) indicate? If Chavez’s result manifests “simmering discontent” what do these results these leaders obtained reveal?

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