- Title: Venezuelan opposition seeks new judges for pro-Maduro Supreme Court
- Date: 18th July 2017
- Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JULY 18, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WITH AMBULANCE PARKED OUT FRONT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN SESSION ASSEMBLY OFFICIALS SEATED AT FRONT OF CONGRESS LAWMAKERS SEATED DURING SESSION VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, JULIO BORGES (CENTRE), AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, FREDDY GUEVARA (LEFT), DURING SESSION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, FREDDY GUEVARA, SAYING: "For the National Assembly to convene immediately this Friday (July 21) to nominate new judges for the Supreme Court of Justice for consideration and approval? The meeting will be for Friday." GENERAL VIEW OF BENCH AT ASSEMBLY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LAWMAKER, JUAN REQUESENS, SAYING: "Today, the National Assembly finally voted on the final report issued by lawmaker Carlos Berrizbeitia and on Friday it (assembly) will proceed with the appointment of new judges. It is a process that is flawless, a process that should get international recognition, a process that allows us to bring a change in public powers that we have been waiting for." GENERAL VIEW OF PARLIAMENT IN SESSION LAWMAKERS SEATED AT THEIR DESKS LAWMAKERS SEATED TOGETHER
- Embargoed: 1st August 2017 21:23
- Keywords: Venezuela National Assembly government body Supreme Court judges
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA0016Q8W407
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Venezuela's opposition-led National Assembly voted on Tuesday (July 18) to begin a nomination process to replace the country's Supreme Court judges, amidst accusations from the opposition that the judicial body is being used to prop up the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
The country's opposition and the Supreme Court have been at odds since judges in March ruled to dissolve the National Assembly and take over legislature's functions. That touched off an international outcry, and the tribunal quickly scrubbed the offending clauses.
But dozens of previous rulings overturning National Assembly measures have left the opposition-led Assembly powerless. Lawmakers now want to begin proceedings to dismiss judges and nominate a new panel for the court.
Amidst anger widespread shortages, three-digit inflation and rampant crime, Venezuelans have taken to the streets to demand early elections. But the socialist government has rejected such demands as a foreign-backed coup, instead calling for a Constituent Assembly with powers to change the country's constitution. The move has been criticised by the opposition as way to embolden the government's power. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
