February 11, 2009 1:45 PM
- Text
Hugo Chavez Seeks Unlimited Rule
Venezuelan lawmakers on Wednesday approved amendments to the constitution that would allow President Hugo Chavez to run for re-election indefinitely, the final step before the proposal goes before voters in a referendum.
Allies of Chavez, who hold a strong majority within the 167-seat National Assembly, overwhelmingly voted in favor of lifting term limits for all elected officials. Six lawmakers opposed the measure, while five abstained.
Election officials have yet to set a date for the referendum, but Chavez says it could be held as early as Feb. 15.
Chavez, who was first elected in 1998, is barred under the constitution from seeking re-election in 2012.
It is the socialist leader's second bid to amend the charter to run for office again. In December 2007, voters rejected a package of reforms that would have scrapped presidential term limits, among other proposed changes.
Congressman Luis Tascon of New Revolutionary Road, a splinter pro-Chavez party, said he voted for the amendments because a suitable successor to Chavez has not emerged within the "Bolivarian Revolution," a political movement named after 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar.
"Given that reality, I'll stay with Chavez," Tascon said.
Juan Molina, one of the assembly's few opposition-aligned lawmakers, called the proposal "undemocratic."
"Indefinite re-election is contrary to democratic principles," Molina said.
Roman Catholic Cardinal Jorge Urosa urged voters to uphold term limits because many elected officials "have the bad habit of using public funds to remain in power."
Hundreds of students, meanwhile, called on Venezuelans to vote down the proposal during protests outside several universities in Caracas. Police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse one group after they blocked a highway.
Another group of university students asked the Supreme Tribunal to force election officials to let Venezuelans who recently turned 18 register as voters.
Election officials have said they do not expect to make changes to voter rolls before the referendum is held.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Allies of Chavez, who hold a strong majority within the 167-seat National Assembly, overwhelmingly voted in favor of lifting term limits for all elected officials. Six lawmakers opposed the measure, while five abstained.
Election officials have yet to set a date for the referendum, but Chavez says it could be held as early as Feb. 15.
Chavez, who was first elected in 1998, is barred under the constitution from seeking re-election in 2012.
It is the socialist leader's second bid to amend the charter to run for office again. In December 2007, voters rejected a package of reforms that would have scrapped presidential term limits, among other proposed changes.
Congressman Luis Tascon of New Revolutionary Road, a splinter pro-Chavez party, said he voted for the amendments because a suitable successor to Chavez has not emerged within the "Bolivarian Revolution," a political movement named after 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar.
"Given that reality, I'll stay with Chavez," Tascon said.
Juan Molina, one of the assembly's few opposition-aligned lawmakers, called the proposal "undemocratic."
"Indefinite re-election is contrary to democratic principles," Molina said.
Roman Catholic Cardinal Jorge Urosa urged voters to uphold term limits because many elected officials "have the bad habit of using public funds to remain in power."
Hundreds of students, meanwhile, called on Venezuelans to vote down the proposal during protests outside several universities in Caracas. Police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse one group after they blocked a highway.
Another group of university students asked the Supreme Tribunal to force election officials to let Venezuelans who recently turned 18 register as voters.
Election officials have said they do not expect to make changes to voter rolls before the referendum is held.
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