This past Sunday, Venezuelans went to the polls to choose the successor to longtime leader Hugo Chavez. Chavez’s hand-picked successor, Nicolas Maduro, was announced as the winner with 50.6 percent of the vote. Because this is nowhere near the 11 point victory that Chavez had over the same opponent, Henrique Capriles, last October, this election spells serious trouble for Maduro’s presidency.

Note that Capriles is contesting the narrow election results stating that there were irregularities in the voting system that cost him votes. Whether this is true or not, the most surprising thing about this election is how close the results were. Considering that Chavez endorsed Maduro before his death, that Chavez supporters did not give Maduro the thumbs-up  was expected.

Maduro will undoubtedly continue down the path of Chavez’s version of socialism. But with only 0.6 percent more than a majority, the Venezuelans may be having second doubts. I believe that this shows the incredible influence that Chavez had, while at the same time showing that Venezuelans are getting ready to move past the ideal that is Chavez.

Capriles’s persistence, with taking on both Chavez and Maduro, has not paid off thus far, but that does not mean that it won’t in the future. If this election is any indication, without Chavez, the style of socialism that exists in Venezuela is under direct threat. Should Maduro fail to spout the same charisma that Chavez did, I think that Capriles or any other opposition leader could have a very good shot at the presidency next election cycle.

Maduro will lack the same legitimacy that Chavez held and will find it very hard to advance his agenda in the same manner that Chavez did. The opposition can now use these elections results to show that Venezuelans do not overwhelmingly want the past to repeat itself. I can only foresee greater political tension in Venezuela over the rest of Maduro’s term.