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Tough times ahead for Hugo Chavez | Tough times ahead for Hugo Chavez |
(about 21 hours later) | |
By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas | By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas |
President Chevez supporters had reason to celebrate a crucial victory | President Chevez supporters had reason to celebrate a crucial victory |
For those supporters who gathered outside the Miraflores presidential palace to hear President Hugo Chavez's victory address, there was extra feeling in their famous chant: "Uh-Ah, Chavez no se va" - "Chavez is going nowhere." | For those supporters who gathered outside the Miraflores presidential palace to hear President Hugo Chavez's victory address, there was extra feeling in their famous chant: "Uh-Ah, Chavez no se va" - "Chavez is going nowhere." |
When President Chavez came out on the balcony to greet them, he was jubilant. | When President Chavez came out on the balcony to greet them, he was jubilant. |
Without a constitutional change he would have had to stand down when his term expires in 2013; instead he had secured the right to stand again for office in the next elections due in 2012, and elections beyond. | Without a constitutional change he would have had to stand down when his term expires in 2013; instead he had secured the right to stand again for office in the next elections due in 2012, and elections beyond. |
"I am ready!" He told them. "With today's victory we start the third historical cycle of the Bolivarian revolution, from 2009 to 2019." | "I am ready!" He told them. "With today's victory we start the third historical cycle of the Bolivarian revolution, from 2009 to 2019." |
This has been a crucial victory for Venezuela's president. He had a lot riding on the outcome, both personally and politically. | This has been a crucial victory for Venezuela's president. He had a lot riding on the outcome, both personally and politically. |
He told voters that his destiny was in their hands and that he would respect their decision, win or lose. | He told voters that his destiny was in their hands and that he would respect their decision, win or lose. |
In the end though, he won comfortably, further strengthening his argument that he has the backing of the majority of the Venezuelan people. | In the end though, he won comfortably, further strengthening his argument that he has the backing of the majority of the Venezuelan people. |
A lot can happen in four years and the road to the 2012 election may well be rocky The opposition argued that the entire vote was unconstitutional, and unnecessary. Having defeated a similar reform in 2007 their campaign slogan was: "No means No!" | A lot can happen in four years and the road to the 2012 election may well be rocky The opposition argued that the entire vote was unconstitutional, and unnecessary. Having defeated a similar reform in 2007 their campaign slogan was: "No means No!" |
But it is clear that the majority of voters did not agree. | But it is clear that the majority of voters did not agree. |
Rather, the government was able to persuade people that what President Chavez called a "small change" to the constitution was important for the country's future. | Rather, the government was able to persuade people that what President Chavez called a "small change" to the constitution was important for the country's future. |
But what will happen when the smoke of the government's celebratory fireworks clears? | But what will happen when the smoke of the government's celebratory fireworks clears? |
Venezuela is facing a series of economic and social problems which need urgent attention, one of which, the rise in violent crime, has been almost taboo for the Chavez government in recent years. | Venezuela is facing a series of economic and social problems which need urgent attention, one of which, the rise in violent crime, has been almost taboo for the Chavez government in recent years. |
Government members have questioned the severity of the problem and raised doubts about the murder rate figures. | Government members have questioned the severity of the problem and raised doubts about the murder rate figures. |
Social spending | Social spending |
But in his victory speech, Mr Chavez identified the civil security situation as one of his priorities for the rest of his current term in office. | But in his victory speech, Mr Chavez identified the civil security situation as one of his priorities for the rest of his current term in office. |
He also promised to "strengthen" the social programmes known as misiones, which provide free healthcare and education in some of the country's poorest areas. | He also promised to "strengthen" the social programmes known as misiones, which provide free healthcare and education in some of the country's poorest areas. |
Many economists say though that the next few years will be key as to whether he can sustain his level of social spending. | Many economists say though that the next few years will be key as to whether he can sustain his level of social spending. |
Venezuelans are being promised improved social programmes | Venezuelans are being promised improved social programmes |
With oil currently around $40 a barrel, Mr Chavez will not be able to depend on the huge oil revenues he enjoyed during the earlier part of last year. | With oil currently around $40 a barrel, Mr Chavez will not be able to depend on the huge oil revenues he enjoyed during the earlier part of last year. |
Inflation in Venezuela is already the highest in Latin America at just under 30% a year and there are suggestions that the state-run energy company, PDVSA, is running at a severe loss. | Inflation in Venezuela is already the highest in Latin America at just under 30% a year and there are suggestions that the state-run energy company, PDVSA, is running at a severe loss. |
While Venezuelans have shown with this vote that President Chavez still has more than enough support to win another presidential election, a lot can happen in four years and the road to the 2012 election may well be rocky. | While Venezuelans have shown with this vote that President Chavez still has more than enough support to win another presidential election, a lot can happen in four years and the road to the 2012 election may well be rocky. |
But for now, none of that matters to the celebrating "Chavistas" - the president's core supporters. | But for now, none of that matters to the celebrating "Chavistas" - the president's core supporters. |
They are just happy to have now secured the change which had eluded them so narrowly a year ago. |
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