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Chavez resumes presidential bid
13/01/2008 08:00 - (SA)
Caracas - President Hugo Chavez on Saturday said he was resuming his bid for unlimited re-election, thwarted last month when he lost a referendum on constitutional reform that would have lifted the two-term limit.
"You know the people have the possibility of launching a political referendum activity. It's up to you. I already played and lost," Chavez told the inaugural congress of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Chavez aims at getting 15% of voters to petition for a new referendum on constitutional reform, as allowed for in the country's constitution.
Chavez, 53, who was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000 and 2006 - after a new constitution drawn up in 1999 renamed the country and allowed for a two-term presidency, said that, in any case, he would remain in office until February 2013.
Chavez, whom critics fear could lead the country further toward a Cuban-style regime, said a referendum call for a constitutional amendment allowing indefinite re-election could spring from either the people themselves or the National Assembly "which can also take the initiative."
After the December 2 referendum was rejected by 50.7% of the vote, Chavez vowed not to push for constitutional reform through the back door of the legislature.
However, on Friday he suggested to lawmakers convening a "confidence vote" referendum on his current mandate - putting his office on the line - but linked to a constitutional amendment that, if approved, would allow him indefinite reelection.
"Since I have the power to call a referendum, if the opposition doesn't do it, I will," Chavez said, apparently breaking his vow.
The referendum he would propose, he added, would pose "two questions: 'Do you agree that Hugo Chavez should continue as president?' and concurrently 'Do you agree to a small constitutional amendment to allow indefinite re-election?'"
The plebiscite would have voters choose to approve both or neither of the two questions.
Chavez would effectively put his office on the line, but he is counting on his popularity to move Venezuelans to accept indefinite presidential re-election rather than see him step down.
- AFP
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