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Hugo Chavez’s special powers

ARGUMENTS FOR:

The new law allowing Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, to rule by decree for 18 months gives him a free hand to press ahead with his socialist revolution, as he pledged when re-elected with 61 per cent of the vote - an emphatic mandate.

The law grants Chavez the radical powers necessary to confront Venezuela's powerful business interests, with measures likely to include nationalisation of key industries and greater control over defence and energy.

Legislators argue urgent action is needed to tackle grinding poverty and extreme inequality, claiming new laws will encourage "inclusion and social justice".

The new powers will be used to reshape the state, encouraging a grassroots revolution in participatory democracy, giving people more say in their own communities.

Chavez is not breaking any rules. He is the fifth president to be granted special powers, a prerogative enshrined in the Venezuelan constitution since 1961.
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ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

Critics say Chavez is moving ever closer to authoritarianism. One newspaper portrayed him with a Hitler moustache under the headline Heil Hugo. He is also accused of seeking to impose Cuban-style communism.

The law further undermines Venezuela's democratic checks and balances, already weakened by the chavistas's dominance of government, the judiciary and the economy.

The vote by the National Assembly was merely a rubber-stamping exercise as it is overwhelmingly dominated by Chavez supporters since an opposition boycott of elections in 2005.

Chavez has threatened to use his powers to undermine press freedom, shutting down critical newspapers and TV stations. He has already warned the head of RCTV, one of Venezuela's oldest channels, to "pack his suitcase".

The move heightens already tense relations between Caracas and Washington, increasing the prospects of a future confrontation.

FIRST POSTED FEBRUARY 5, 2007

News & Comment: News & Politics