Sunday, December 2, 2007

Venezuelans vote on constitution

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is facing his toughest challenge in years as voters decide whether to approve constitutional changes in a referendum.

The raft of reforms includes allowing abolishing presidential term limits and ending the Central Bank's autonomy.

Mr Chavez says the proposed changes would return power to the people, but opponents accuse him of a power grab.

On Saturday, President Chavez repeated a threat to stop oil supplies to the US if it tried to disrupt the ballot.

Mr Chavez has warned that his opponents could try to sabotage the vote, with backing from Washington, through violent protests.

At a news conference, he said: "In the case of an aggression by the US government, we wouldn't send any more oil to that country. Forget about our oil."

Opec member Venezuela currently exports about 60% of its oil to the United States - a trade worth an estimated $37bn (£18.5bn) a year.

Mr Chavez has accused Washington of conspiring to topple his government and possibly backing plots to assassinate him. US officials have called the accusations ridiculous.

On Sunday, voters will decide whether they agree with a package of constitutional reforms, which Mr Chavez says are necessary to "construct a new socialist economy".

Mr Chavez has proposed 33 changes, and the National Assembly, which is composed of his supporters, put forward a further 36 amendments.

His opponents have called for close monitoring of the ballot. Opinion polls have suggested that the result could be close, although surveys in the past have tended to underestimate the level of support Mr Chavez enjoys.

The BBC's Americas editor, Emilio San Pedro, says the elections are expected to be as free and fair as all previous ones since Mr Chavez came to power in 1998.

Working week

One proposal is to allow the president to stand for re-election an indefinite number of times.

An opposition campaigner shouts slogans at a rally on 29 November
The opposition camp has mounted a vocal campaign
Speaking on Friday, Mr Chavez said: "If God gives me life and help, I will be at the head of the government until 2050." He would be 95 years old.

Under the current constitution, Mr Chavez would have to stand down when his term expires at the end of 2012.

Other changes up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, the creation of new provinces governed by centrally-appointed officials, and a reduction in the voting age from 18 to 16.

There are also proposals to expand presidential powers during natural disasters or political "emergencies".

On the social front, changes include establishing a maximum six-hour working day and 36-hour working week, and widening social security benefit to workers in the informal economy.

A number of defections from the president's camp have encouraged opponents, but Mr Chavez has dismissed these one-time allies as traitors.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7123365.stm

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