Venezuela opposition running out of options to force 2016 Maduro vote

An opposition supporter takes part in a rally to demand a referendum to remove Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, September 16, 2016. REUTERS/Henry Romero

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition failed to draw large numbers on Friday in its latest protests against President Nicolas Maduro, and the national election board delayed a decision on the next stage of a possible referendum on his socialist rule.

The Democratic Unity coalition is running out of options to force a plebiscite this year to trigger a presidential election should Maduro lose. If a referendum is held in 2017 and he loses, the vice president would take over for the second half of Maduro's six-year term, ensuring the Socialists stay in power.