Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Chavez seeks reelection, eyes presidency through 2021
AFP - Monday, December 1
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) - - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday announced he was seeking a constitutional amendment to allow himself to seek reelection again, saying he hoped to lead the OPEC nation until 2021.
Chavez said he was directing his ruling United Socialist party (PSUV) to seek a "constitutional amendment and reelection of the president of the republic" saying he was "ready (to govern) through 2021."
"I give the PSUV and the Venezuelan people my authorization to begin the debate and take the steps necessary to obtain that constitutional amendment and reelection of the president ... and I am sure that we will get it now," 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," added the 54-year-old Chavez, seeking to propel the oil-rich but poverty-plagued country's institutional socialism to over two decades long.
On November 24 -- almost a year after losing a vote on extending his powers -- 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."
In December 2007, a referendum that sought to declare Venezuela a socialist state and allow unlimited reelection did not prevail, and dealt Chavez his first major defeat at the ballot box.
Just over a week ago Chavez's party scored a string of victories in key local polls, but in a blow to his socialist revolution the opposition won some major power centers.
The results shook up the political landscape of the South American nation, reducing the almost blanket authority of the fiercely anti-liberal Chavez and his party.
"The symbols won by the opposition are more than expected: they won the capital and states representing the economic and political heart of the country," said Luis Vicente Leon from Datanalisis.
Some 45 percent of the population will now be governed by politicians from the opposition, who won in states representing around 70 percent of national economic activity.
But Chavez said at the time that the opposition had suffered a "new, big defeat. They continue overestimating what happened as a victory. That's crazy," Chavez argued.
If "we're applying scientific analysis, the popular revolutionary victory continues growing," Chavez argued.
But Chavez, a friend to communist Cuba and to fellow oil giants Iran and Russia, did lose some "mandate" authority in his quest to abolish term limits to try to win a third six-year term in 2012.
By Sunday, he was scrambling to regain lost ground, in a bid to make his revolution increasingly an institution.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Oil Price Hike
Chavez seeks reelection, eyes presidency through 2021AFP - Monday, December 1
OPEC braces for tough times as global recession bitesAFP - Sunday, November 30
OPEC holds current output, hints at December cutAFP - Sunday, November 30
OPEC freezes crude output quotaAFP - Sunday, November 30
Related Articles: World
Chavez seeks indefinite re-election, againAP - 38 minutes ago
Bush sending Rice to India in aftermath of attacksAP - 42 minutes ago
Colombian consul recalled to BogotaAP - 45 minutes ago
Space shuttle Endeavour finishes 16-day missionAP - 51 minutes ago
Biden picks key staff for vice president's officeAP - 58 minutes ago
Enlarge Photo
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, pictured in October 2008, on Sunday announced he was seeking a constitutional amendment to allow himself to seek reelection, saying he hoped to remain in power until 2021.
Related Full Coverage
oil price hike
oil price hike
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Saudi king says 75 dollar oil price 'fair'
World's oldest person dies at 115 years
Love handles increase death risk: study
Michael Jackson strikes 'amicable' deal with Arab sheikh
At least 381 dead after Nigeria clashes: witness
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular