26
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 212:
Line 212: + + + − On August 15, President Chávez proposed a package of reforms to his own 1999 Constitution. It is expected that this package will be submitted to a national referendum in early December. Among the reforms measures are: indefinite presidential re-election, a reorganization of the geographic boundaries of government and a redefinition of property. The National Assembly has subsequently proposed an additional package of constitutional reform proposals.+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Constitutional referendum 2007
In January 2007, President Chávez named a new Vice President (the former head of the CNE) and cabinet, drawing largely from deputies of the National Assembly. Chávez announced a renewed effort to implement his vision of "21st Century Socialism" in Venezuela. He asked the National Assembly to grant him special constitutional powers via an "enabling law" to rule by decree over a broad range of society and subsequently received those powers for a term of 18 months. He also took major steps to nationalize the telecommunications and electricity sectors, as well as to finalize a majority government share in many oil projects, all sectors with significant foreign investments.
In January 2007, President Chávez named a new Vice President (the former head of the CNE) and cabinet, drawing largely from deputies of the National Assembly. Chávez announced a renewed effort to implement his vision of "21st Century Socialism" in Venezuela. He asked the National Assembly to grant him special constitutional powers via an "enabling law" to rule by decree over a broad range of society and subsequently received those powers for a term of 18 months. He also took major steps to nationalize the telecommunications and electricity sectors, as well as to finalize a majority government share in many oil projects, all sectors with significant foreign investments.
=== Constitutional referendum 2007 ===
On August 15, President Chávez proposed a package of 33 articles to reform the 1999 Constitution. On 11th September the National Assembly enlarged the amount of amendments with other 36 articles, increasing in 69 the number of articles to be voted in the referendum. Finally the National Assembly passed the reform on 2nd November.
<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7076076.stm Venezuela assembly passes reforms], ''BBC News'', 2nd November 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>.
The proposals were divided into two blocks: block “A” and block “B”. Some of the amendments are:
* Indefinite presidential re-election.
* The presidential term will be increased from six to seven years.
* Five types of property are proposed: public, social, collective, mixed, and private property. The Venezuelan State is to govern four of these new five types of property, as it intends to play a role as owner, partner, and financer.
<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/10/01/en_eco_art_venezuelan-state-to_01A1086237.shtml Venezuelan state to govern four types of property], ''El Universal'', 1st October 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>.
* Creation of federal territories ruled by vice presidents. The heads of federal territories will be appointed by the President of Venezuela.
* Autonomy of the central bank will be concluded.
* The international reserves will be managed by the president.
* Reduction of maximum working week from 44 to 36 hours.
* Reduction of voting age from 18 to 16 years.
* Benefits of social security will be expanded to workers of informal economy.
The constitutional reform was rejected by the opposition to considered it as an attempt of President Chávez to rule the country indefinitely and to create a socialist economy. Marches against the reform were done in many parts of Venezuela. A major role in the protests was played by university students.
<ref>[http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=10136480 Challenging Chávez-for-life, A new kind of opposition], ''The Economist'', 15th November 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>. Some supporters of Mr. Chávez such as the allied party ''PODEMOS'', ''Raúl Baduel'' (his ex- Defense Minister) and ''Marisabel Rodríguez'' (his ex-wife) rejected the reform and called the electors to vote against the reform.
<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/11/05/en_refco_art_former-defense-minis_05A1174277.shtml Former Defense Minister rejects constitutional reform], ''El Universal'', 5th November 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>.
<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2983752.ece Ex-wife damns Hugo Chavez ‘coup’], ''The Sunday Times'', 2nd December 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>.
On 2nd December 50 % of electors voted against the constitutional reform while 49 % of electors voted in favor. <ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/12/03/en_refco_art_venezuelans-said-no_03A1240957.shtml Venezuelans said “no” to Chávez’s planned reform], ''El Universal'', 3rd December 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>. The reform was rejected in seven important Venezuelan states, based on the number of voters, namely Zulia, Miranda, Carabobo, Lara, Anzoátegui, and the Capital District (Caracas).
<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/12/04/en_refco_art_states-of-zulia,-mir_04A1243797.shtml States of Zulia, Miranda and Táchira played a decisive role], ''El Universal'', 4th December 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>. It is the first time since Mr. Chávez won power in 1998 that the current government loses at the polls.
Abstention, which was more than 44 %, is considered an important factor of the government defeat. It is thought many supporters of Chávez refrained from voting, because they were not in agreement with the reform.
<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1690507,00.html?imw=Y Why Venezuelans Turned on Chavez], By Gould, Jens Erik, ''Time'', 3rd December 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>.
President Chávez recognized the results, but he announced to the nation that another referendum to modify the constitution will be proposed again in the future. The previous statement was said by the Venezuelan president again on 5th December.
<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/05/en_refco_art_chavez-announces-sec_05A1247117.shtml Chávez launches second offensive to pass reform to the Constitution], ''El Universal'', 6th December 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>. The National Assembly decided to join the presidential efforts to keep the proposal alive. <ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/05/en_refco_art_parliament-insists-o_05A1245643.shtml Parliament insists on advancing Chávez’s defeated reform], ''El Universal'', 5th December 2007. Retrieved on 13th December 2007.</ref>.
==Famous Venezuelans==
==Famous Venezuelans==
* [[Andres Bello|Andrés Bello]] (1781-1865); poet, grammarian, teacher, and vice-chancellor of the university of Chile.
* [[Andres Bello|Andrés Bello]] (1781-1865); poet, grammarian, teacher, and vice-chancellor of the university of Chile.