CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's National Assembly gave initial approval Thursday to a measure that would let President Hugo Chavez enact laws by decree for 1 1/2 years, a key step in what the leftist calls an accelerating march toward socialism.The law is expected to easily win final approval next week by a legislature filled with Chavez allies. Among the laws planned by Chavez are moves to nationalize Venezuela's main telecommunications company and the electricity and natural gas sectors. "This process is unstoppable," lawmaker Juan Montenegro Nunez told the National Assembly. "This process is a historic necessity."
| We've seen this movie, haven't we? 1935 in Germany? 1959 in Cuba? I'm sure this movie's been made countless times. |
| ... which he won by intimidating the opposition and squatting firmly on the people ... |
Opposition politician Gerardo Blyde criticized the proposed law, saying "what is becoming evident is that all the powers are one single power in Venezuela - Hugo Chavez."
Separately, Chavez has formed a commission to recommend sweeping changes to the country's constitution. He said Venezuelans would decide whether to approve constitutional reforms in a referendum, and that the vote would likely be held by the end of this year.
| Just in case the decrees don't work, or someone gets uppity. |