Venezuelan opposition leader takes aim at central government in National Assembly

Record ID: 103285

  • Title: Venezuelan opposition leader takes aim at central government in National Assembly
  • Date: 18th May 2016
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (MAY 17, 2016) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** EXTERIOR OF VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VARIOUS OF ASSEMBLYMEN SHOUTING AT EACH OTHER VARIOUS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADER, HENRY RAMOS, SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADER, HENRY RAMOS, SPEAKING: "The situation that exists today can be resolved through normal measures that the chief executive has at his disposal as per the Constitution, and they are many, with the successive enabling law, with the prerogative of (declaring) an institutional state of emergency, or prolonging once again all that they (the government) haven't provided results for over the past few months. That is what we have to reflect over." DEPUTIES DENYING THE APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY DECREE PRO-GOVERNMENT DEPUTIES SCREAMING, "TRAITOR" OPPOSITION DEPUTIES APPLAUDING WIDE OF PARLIAMENTARY SESSION
  • Embargoed: 2nd June 2016 01:19
  • Keywords: Henry Ramos Nicolas Maduro recall National Assembly Caracas
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014I77CXZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:**EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO AS INCOMING**
    With Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro predicting the imminent demise of Venezuela's opposition-led parliament, the leader of the National Assembly spoke out in defence of stability, and invited the socialist government to resolve the impasse through "normal measures."
    For his part, the 53-year-old socialist president has not specified further on what could happen to the legislature, although last month he threatened a constitutional amendment to cut its five-year term.
    Capitalising on public anger over the economic mess, the opposition coalition won control of the National Assembly in a December vote and is pushing for a referendum to oust Maduro, the unpopular successor to the late Hugo Chavez.
    But ruling Socialist Party officials say there is not time to organise such a vote this year, and the government-leaning Election Board is dragging its feet on paperwork.
    Furthermore, the Supreme Court has overturned most of the assembly's new laws, prompting opposition accusations that Maduro has become a dictator backed by stooge institutions.
    "The situation that exists today can be resolved through normal measures that the chief executive has at his disposal as per the Constitution, and they are many, with the successive enabling law, with the prerogative of (declaring) an institutional state of emergency, or prolonging once again all that they (the government) haven't provided results for over the past few months. That is what we have to reflect over," opposition leader Henry Ramos said from the floor of the legislature.
    The opposition is organising nationwide protests for Wednesday. Marches last week turned violent, with soldiers using tear gas against stone-throwing youths.
    Street protests and looting are becoming more common around the country, as Venezuelans grow wearier and angrier at food shortages, power and water cuts, and inflation that is the highest in the world.
    At the weekend, Maduro declared a 60-day state of emergency, widening his powers to sidestep the legislature, intervene in the economy and control the streets, because of what he called U.S. and domestic plots against him.
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