Opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez bowed out of Venezuela’s presidential race, saying he will support his leading rival as the opposition seeks to field a single candidate to challenge President Hugo Chavez.

Opponents and supporters of President Hugo Chavez have held their final rallies ahead of legislative elections that both of Venezuela’s political camps view as a critical test.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez’s governing party predicted it had won a sweeping victory in congressional elections, citing internal party counts suggesting its candidates had won more than two-thirds of seats.