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Mugabe's Party Loses Majority in Parliament

But still no official word on who won the presidential election

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2008 5:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Robert Mugabe's party has lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the nation's independence in 1980, official election results show. The presidential results, however, remain up in the air. Mugabe's Zanu-PF party has so far won 94 out of 210 parliamentary seats, while opposition parties have taken 105, reports the BBC.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he won the presidential race with 50.3% of the vote to Mugabe's 43.8%, which would make a runoff election unnecessary. The government has not released official results, however, and it called the MDC's claims "wishful thinking." Meanwhile, a Zanu-PF party official has told the BBC that he fears Mugabe may now be "fatally damaged" by the election.

An unidentified woman takes care of her sick grandchild in a squatter settlement near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
An unidentified woman takes care of her sick grandchild in a squatter settlement near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, April 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe addresses a press conference in Harare, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe addresses a press conference in Harare, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mujahid Safodien)
An election poster with a portrait of Zimbabwe's MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in Harare Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
An election poster with a portrait of Zimbabwe's MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in Harare Wednesday, April 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mujahid Safodien)
An election poster of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, is pinned in an effigy mocking his government in Harare, Wednesday April 2, 2008.
An election poster of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, is pinned in an effigy mocking his government in Harare, Wednesday April 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Tendai Biti, Secretary General of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, seen in a television camera viewer,  addresses a press conference in Harare,Wednesday, April, 2, 2008.
Tendai Biti, Secretary General of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, seen in a television camera viewer, addresses a press conference in Harare,Wednesday, April, 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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