Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked his cabinet to resign after the opposition won a majority in the legislature in a landmark challenge to his grip on power.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked his cabinet to resign after the opposition won a majority in the legislature in a landmark challenge to his grip on power.

"I have asked the council of ministers to present their resignation in order to carry out a process of restructuring, renovation and deep reform in the government," Maduro said on TV late Tuesday.

Supporters of the opposition coalition MUD set off fireworks and danced in the street as the latest results of the vote came out late Monday, announcing that the 16-year control of Maduro’s National Assembly in elections Sunday.

The national election commission confirmed that MUD won 112 of the 167 seats in the National Assembly. The other 55 went to the socialist party that ruled until now.

The opposition in the legislature will now be able to call a referendum, launch constitutional reforms, replace senior judges and even take measures to try to depose Maduro.

"That is not our priority," MUD leader Jesus Torrealba told reporters.
"Our priority is national reconciliation and secondly dealing with the economic and social emergency in this country."

The new lawmakers take up their seats on January 5.

Maduro said "a new stage has begun" and it was time for "constructive self-criticism" in his party.

"I have called for a full debate to look for a solution to the country's problems... and to build a new revolutionary majority," he said late Monday after meeting leaders of his party.

Maduro called on his allies to "close ranks in civil-military union."