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February 16th, 2009
Venezuelans voted yesterday on a reform proposal that would allow President Hugo Chavez to stay in power for as long as he keeps winning elections, his second bid to extend his rule after a decade in power.
President Chavez, a socialist who says he needs at least another 10 years to complete his revolution, holds a slim edge in polls but many Venezuelans remain undecided.
A former soldier who often challenges US influence, Chavez lost a vote in December to lift term limits and if he loses his second try, he would have to leave office in 2013 or find another way to change the rules.
Fireworks, car horns and recordings of military bugles played from trucks woke up residents in Caracas, where people started lining up at the polling stations before dawn.
Spearheaded by a student movement, the fragmented opposition’s campaign slogan is “No is No,” referring to President Chavez’s failed 2007 effort to rewrite the constitution so he could extend his rule in the Opec nation.
President Chavez said on Saturday a win would reinforce his mandate to create a socialist state and challenge Washington in Latin America.
“This will strengthen my faith in what we are doing,” the 54-year-old president said.
But with the current lower oil prices, President Chavez has far less income to spend on his programmes of clinics, schools and food for the poor Venezuelans who have consistently backed him. (Reuters)
source.nation.ken