Venezuela's National Assembly begins debate on presidential term of office
19/12/2008 16:49
Venezuela's National Assembly yesterday began its first debate on a
constitutional amendment on removing restrictions on presidential term of
office, which could allow President Hugo Chavez to be re-elected in 2012.
The
proposal has been supported by thousands of Chavez's supporters who surrounded
the building of the National Assembly, chanting "uh, ah, Chavez won't leave"
when making allusion to Chavez's re-election.
Early in the morning, hundreds
of drivers parked their cars in several avenues of Caracas playing music to back
up the rally.
Three million signatures have been collected in largely
symbolic support of Chavez's request because lawmakers have the power to approve
the referendum on their own.
The second and third round of discussion on the
constitutional amendment are expected to be held in early January next year. If
it is approved, it will be sent to the National Electoral Council to call a
referendum.
Xinhua
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