Photo: Alex Lanz
Hollande congratulates Chavez on election win
Published: 09 Oct 2012 09:57 GMT+02:00 | Print version
Updated: 09 Oct 2012 09:57 GMT+02:00
French President Francois Hollande congratulated Hugo Chavez on his re-election as leader of Venezuela and expressed France's desire to strengthen ties with his socialist government.
Hollande "congratulates President Chavez on his victory", the Elysee Palace said in a statement Monday, adding that the French leader "wishes for success in accomplishing his mission" and wants to "consolidate relations" with Venezuela.
The statement also stressed the smooth running of Sunday's election, which it said "enabled the Venezuelan people to express their choice in pluralism and complete freedom".
After almost 14 years in power, Chavez survived cancer and the most formidable opponent of his presidency, youthful former state governor Henrique Capriles, to win another six years in power with 55 percent of the votes cast.
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