Chavez proposes re-election

[Mugu]

news.com.au


VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez today announced he's seeking a constitutional amendment to allow himself to seek re-election, saying he hopes to remain in power until 2021.

Mr Chavez said he was directing his ruling United Socialist party (PSUV) to seek a "constitutional amendment and re-election of the president of the republic", saying he was "ready (to govern) through 2021".

"I give the PSUV and the Venezuelan people my authorisation to begin the debate and take the steps necessary to obtain that constitutional amendment and re-election of the president ... and I am sure that we will get it now," Mr Chavez said at the swearing-in of Caracas' Libertador district's mayor Jorge Rodriguez. "I am ready, and if I am healthy, God willing, I will be with you until 2019, until 2021," the 54-year-old Mr Chavez said.

On November 24 - almost a year after losing a vote on extending his powers - Mr Chavez had said: "It's the people's right (to vote on the issue). We'll see if the people use this right, and if all the country approves it or not if there is a referendum."

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24731994-5005961,00.html">Complete article

[Renew Deal]

1. DICTATOR

Oops, I'm going to anger the Chavez apologists.

[anonymous171]

9. "potential" dictator is more accurate.

[shoeshock]

2. Venezuelan opposition contracting Israeli mercenaries?

Chavez is scared!

http://www.inteldaily.com/news/145/ARTICLE/8862/2008-12-01.html

[Arctic Dave]

6. Why would any country allow foriegn mercs in their country.

Escecially if not requested by the national government.

Your comments are funny.

[EFerrari]

7. One more than one occasion, Colombian paramilitaries have been busted

for being in Venezuela clandestinely in "safe houses". The oligarchy still views Venezuela as their plantation.

[Arctic Dave]

8. This is my point too. Having foriegn mercs or paramilitaries

in your country is always, repeat, always a bad situation.

[EFerrari]

10. Three trade unionists murdered in Venezuela:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=405x10261

The press makes Chavez look paranoid but in fact, Venezuela has been tilting with a number of destabilizing forces for most of his tenure.

[Arctic Dave]

12. For a president that has been through a coup,

he IMO, is acting fairly restrained in the way he deals with opposition leaders who tried to ouster or kill him.

[yodoobo]

3. 2021 eh

Who didn't see that coming.

[hendo]

4. Yay for a dictatorship

Seriously Chavez, step down like a man.

[eridani]

5. Yep. FDR was a dictator too

All presidents who serve more than two terms, or want to, are dictators.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. Some of the more extremely batshit crazy rightos DO believe FDR was a dictator.

Although I think it's more related to him having beaten up their Chaplin-moustachioed pal.

[Nederland]

13. FDR didn't change the constitution to stay in power (nt)

[eridani]

14. Why is it your business what other countries do with their constitutions?

Chavez was defeated on the issue once already. Nothing looks likely to change that situation.

[leftstreet]

15. DU needs a Latin American forum

oh wait...

[Donald Ian Rankin]

16. Chavez may not be a dictator, but he's an autocrat.

The situation in Venezuela is non clear-cut, because Chavez still has (non-overwhelming) majority support, but the methods he uses to maintain that support (abuse of state resources and power for party political ends) are clearly illegitemate.

It's become increasingly clear over the years that he has no commitment to the principles of democracy; however, because at present he has no reason not to, he's so far kept Venezuela democratic.

[Forkboy]

17. That's ok. I think term limits suck.

If the people like someone they should be able to keep voting for the person. I've voted for Kennedy and Kerry a ton of times, and hope I keep getting the chance a ton more. Term limits take away choices, and seem inherently undemocratic to me.