lumukanda
16-08-2007, 08:07 AM
Venezuela head outlines changes
President Hugo Chavez has announced plans to change Venezuela's constitution to allow him to stand for office indefinitely.
Current rules limiting presidential terms mean Mr Chavez would have to step down when his term ends in 2012.
His plans would also increase presidential control over Venezuela's municipalities and states.
Mr Chavez has rejected criticism of the proposals, saying they would bring "new horizons for the new era".
Some of the main changes include:
Removing term limits for the presidency, and extend the term of office from six years to seven
Bringing in a maximum six-hour working day
Increasing presidential control over the central bank
Strengthening state economic powers, allowing the government to control assets of private companies before a court grants an expropriation order.
The president set out his plans in a speech to the National Assembly, which is expected to approve them within several months.
The plan would then be put to a national referendum.
President Chavez told the assembly his proposals only affected 10% of the constitution.
'Great battle'
Thousands of government supporters converged on Venezuela's National Assembly, carrying banners reading "Yes to the reform, on the path to 21st Century Socialism".
Inside, Hugo Chavez began by paying tribute to Simon Bolivar - the man who fought for Venezuela's independence 200 years ago.
He said Bolivar was the inspiration for his political dream.
Mr Chavez has promised structural changes to get rid of corruption - something he described as a cancer, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas.
He said now was the era of "people power" and not the power of the oligarchy - a word he uses to describe past governments.
In a television interview prior to his address, the president said that he believed the "immense majority" of the people would back his plan, but predicted a "great battle" with the opposition.
"The Venezuelan opposition, without exception, is ... aligned with the interests of the empire," he said, referring to the United States.
Since being re-elected last year, the Venezuelan leader has stepped up a programme of nationalisation of sectors including energy and telecommunications.
He pushed through a new constitution in 1999, shortly after he was first elected. Under it presidents are limited to serving two successive six year terms.
He says the charter must be redrafted in order to steer Venezuela away from capitalism and build a socialist state.
His opponents fear that Mr Chavez is seeking to become a lifelong leader and could abuse his power.
But, in his speech to the National Assembly, the president said: "We know it is not like that. I doubt there is any country on this planet with a democracy more alive than the one we enjoy in Venezuela today."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6948872.stm
a lot of what chavez says sounds pretty good, but why is it always one of the first things these guys do is to extend the amount of time they can rule for? and whats with the increased presidential influence in the central bank? and local government?
i loved when he said bush was the devil, but watch this space, all is not well in venezuala...
President Hugo Chavez has announced plans to change Venezuela's constitution to allow him to stand for office indefinitely.
Current rules limiting presidential terms mean Mr Chavez would have to step down when his term ends in 2012.
His plans would also increase presidential control over Venezuela's municipalities and states.
Mr Chavez has rejected criticism of the proposals, saying they would bring "new horizons for the new era".
Some of the main changes include:
Removing term limits for the presidency, and extend the term of office from six years to seven
Bringing in a maximum six-hour working day
Increasing presidential control over the central bank
Strengthening state economic powers, allowing the government to control assets of private companies before a court grants an expropriation order.
The president set out his plans in a speech to the National Assembly, which is expected to approve them within several months.
The plan would then be put to a national referendum.
President Chavez told the assembly his proposals only affected 10% of the constitution.
'Great battle'
Thousands of government supporters converged on Venezuela's National Assembly, carrying banners reading "Yes to the reform, on the path to 21st Century Socialism".
Inside, Hugo Chavez began by paying tribute to Simon Bolivar - the man who fought for Venezuela's independence 200 years ago.
He said Bolivar was the inspiration for his political dream.
Mr Chavez has promised structural changes to get rid of corruption - something he described as a cancer, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas.
He said now was the era of "people power" and not the power of the oligarchy - a word he uses to describe past governments.
In a television interview prior to his address, the president said that he believed the "immense majority" of the people would back his plan, but predicted a "great battle" with the opposition.
"The Venezuelan opposition, without exception, is ... aligned with the interests of the empire," he said, referring to the United States.
Since being re-elected last year, the Venezuelan leader has stepped up a programme of nationalisation of sectors including energy and telecommunications.
He pushed through a new constitution in 1999, shortly after he was first elected. Under it presidents are limited to serving two successive six year terms.
He says the charter must be redrafted in order to steer Venezuela away from capitalism and build a socialist state.
His opponents fear that Mr Chavez is seeking to become a lifelong leader and could abuse his power.
But, in his speech to the National Assembly, the president said: "We know it is not like that. I doubt there is any country on this planet with a democracy more alive than the one we enjoy in Venezuela today."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6948872.stm
a lot of what chavez says sounds pretty good, but why is it always one of the first things these guys do is to extend the amount of time they can rule for? and whats with the increased presidential influence in the central bank? and local government?
i loved when he said bush was the devil, but watch this space, all is not well in venezuala...