Venezuela gives president decree powers for ‘economic war’
Nicolas Maduro gains powers to pass laws without congressional approval despite opposition claims he is seeking consolidate power in the run-up to municipal elections
Venezuelan lawmakers granted President Nicolas Maduro year-long decree powers on Tuesday that he says are essential to regulate the economy and stamp out corruption. His adversaries, however, view the move as a power grab.
Hundreds of supporters of the ruling Socialist Party cheered outside the National Assembly as the so-called Enabling Law was passed, while a recording of Maduro’s late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, singing Venezuela’s anthem rang out inside the hall.
The power to pass laws without congressional approval gives Maduro a political victory in the run-up to December 8 municipal elections, although he still faces a severely distorted economy with embarrassing product shortages and inflation surging to nearly 55 per cent.
“I want to thank the majority of patriotic and socialist lawmakers for approving this law that will let us advance, over the next 12 months, in defeating the economic war being waged against our people,” Maduro said.
“Tonight has been a victory for the people! ... Who says the revolution is over?” he added, flanked by ministers, to applause from a crowd outside the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.
The passage of the decree powers on Tuesday was widely expected and Chavez passed nearly 200 laws by decree during his time in office, including legislation that let him nationalise major oil projects and increase his influence in the Supreme Court.