The politics of Venezuela occurs in a framework explained in Government of Venezuela. Venezuela has a dominant-party system, dominated by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela amidst other parties listed in the following section. The governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela, PSUV) was created in 2007, uniting a number of smaller parties supporting Hugo Chávez's Bolivarian Revolution with Chávez's Fifth Republic Movement. PSUV and its forerunners have held the Presidency and National Assembly since 1998. The Democratic Unity Roundtable (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática, MUD), created in 2008, unites much of the opposition (A New Era (UNT), Project Venezuela, Justice First, Movement for Socialism (Venezuela) and others). Hugo Chávez, the central figure of the Venezuelan political landscape since his election to the Presidency in 1998 as a political outsider, died in office in early 2013, and was succeeded by Nicolás Maduro (initially as interim President, before narrowly winning the 2013 Venezuelan presidential election). Venezuela has a presidential government. Parties and leaders Governing party United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV – (Nicolás Maduro), partially recognized. Up to 60 countries, including United States and the European Union have recognized Juan Guaidó (MUD) as the President of Venezuela. As of 2021, the European Union no longer recognizes Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela. Non-governing parties A New Time or UNT – (Manuel Rosales) Brave People's Alliance or ABP – (Richard Blanco) Christian Democrats or COPEI – Juan Carlos Alvarado Coalition of opposition parties –The Democratic Unity Table or MUD – (Jose Luis Cartaya) Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV – (Oscar Figuera) Democratic Action or AD – (Henry Ramos Allup) Fatherland for All or PPT – (Rafael Uzcategui) For Social Democracy or PODEMOS – (Didalco Antonio Bolivar Groterol) Justice First or PJ – (Julio Borges) Movement Toward Socialism or MAS – (Segundo Melendaz) Popular Will or VP – (Leopoldo Lopez) Progressive Wave or AP – (Henri Falcon) The Radical Cause or La Causa R – (Americo De Grazia) Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV – (Simon Calzadilla) Venezuela Project or PV – (Henrique Fernando Salas Feo) History Venezuelan politics was characterized by military rule for much of its post-independence history. From independence until 1956, Venezuela had 24 constitutions. These constitutions were frequently established by winners after successful revolts. Romulo Gallegos's election as president in 1947 made him the first freely elected president in Venezuela's history. He was