Pro-government deputies in Venezuela's National Assembly (AN) may propose changes to the country's 1999 Constitution to permit President Hugo Chavez Frias an unlimited continuum of mandate periods as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Under the current system, reformist Chavez Frias is limited to two 6-year terms.
Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) congressman William Lara says that although Chavez supporters hold only a small majority in the unicameral AN [National Assembly], representatives are already viewing as many as 21 constitutional amendments to be introduced as early as next year.
VHeadline article
Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) congressman William Lara says that although Chavez supporters hold only a small majority in the unicameral AN [National Assembly], representatives are already viewing as many as 21 constitutional amendments to be introduced as early as next year.
Man, I hate to see that. Twenty-one amendments in one year! They hammered out what they've claimed (and seems to be) a very good Constitution. And the move to remove limits on presidential terms, while arguably not without merit, also has great potentional for corruption. And a huge problem at this time is that in the fight with the opposition for control of the country, it seems to be playing into their charges that Chávez is a Castro wannabe.
The lawmakers, who are supporters of President Hugo Chavez, proposed
amendments to 21 articles in the constitution that would, among other things, change the vote currently required to pass new legislation from two-thirds to a simple majority.
The constitution was drafted in 1999 by a special assembly packed with allies of Chavez and overwhelmingly approved by voters that year. It has repeatedly been touted by Chavez as "the best constitution in the entire world."
The reform would also make it significantly more difficult for government opponents to pass a referendum on whether or not the president must step down.
Amendments, according to the current constitution, can be approved with a simple majority vote in the legislature. To go into effect, the amendment must be approved by a simple majority of voters in a nationwide referendum.
...Several government-friendly legislators disapproved of the amendment proposal, which lawmakers are slated to begin debating next week.
"I don't agree with presidential re-election without limits," said Ricardo Gutierrez, who is vice president of Venezuela 's National Assembly.
Jesus Torrealba, a representative of the Democratic Coordinator opposition coalition, said the reform would weaken one of the oldest democracies in South America.
"We are facing a legislative onslaught that aims to keep Chavez in power and undermine the principles that establish consensus in approving laws," said Torrealba.
Wall Street Journal article
amendments to 21 articles in the constitution that would, among other things, change the vote currently required to pass new legislation from two-thirds to a simple majority.
The constitution was drafted in 1999 by a special assembly packed with allies of Chavez and overwhelmingly approved by voters that year. It has repeatedly been touted by Chavez as "the best constitution in the entire world."
The reform would also make it significantly more difficult for government opponents to pass a referendum on whether or not the president must step down.
Amendments, according to the current constitution, can be approved with a simple majority vote in the legislature. To go into effect, the amendment must be approved by a simple majority of voters in a nationwide referendum.
...Several government-friendly legislators disapproved of the amendment proposal, which lawmakers are slated to begin debating next week.
"I don't agree with presidential re-election without limits," said Ricardo Gutierrez, who is vice president of Venezuela 's National Assembly.
Jesus Torrealba, a representative of the Democratic Coordinator opposition coalition, said the reform would weaken one of the oldest democracies in South America.
"We are facing a legislative onslaught that aims to keep Chavez in power and undermine the principles that establish consensus in approving laws," said Torrealba.
The idea that any amendment has to be approved by citizen voters is, I think, a wonderful Constitutional law that encourages participatory democracy. But I'm not sure a simple majority is a good idea at all. Close contests would be destined to cause extreme battles and strife. And in the parliament, imagine if you only had to buy one vote instead of 40 or 50 or whatever. But, that's just my instinct. I haven't any evidence to offer to show that it's a bad idea.
....but hey, do what you want....we do.
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