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US welcomes Venezuela's term vote | US welcomes Venezuela's term vote |
(40 minutes later) | |
The US has cautiously welcomed Venezuela's vote to scrap limits on how often politicians, including President Hugo Chavez, can run for office. | The US has cautiously welcomed Venezuela's vote to scrap limits on how often politicians, including President Hugo Chavez, can run for office. |
State Department spokesman Noel Clay praised "the civic spirit" of the referendum on Sunday. | State Department spokesman Noel Clay praised "the civic spirit" of the referendum on Sunday. |
But he said it was important that elected officials in Venezuela focused "on governing democratically". | But he said it was important that elected officials in Venezuela focused "on governing democratically". |
Mr Chavez is one of Washington's most outspoken critics, who last year expelled the US ambassador in Caracas. | |
Mr Chavez has said he needs to stay in office beyond the end of his current term in 2012 so he can secure what he calls Venezuela's socialist revolution. | Mr Chavez has said he needs to stay in office beyond the end of his current term in 2012 so he can secure what he calls Venezuela's socialist revolution. |
Critics say that would concentrate too much power in the presidency. | Critics say that would concentrate too much power in the presidency. |
'Already candidate' | 'Already candidate' |
On Monday, Venezuela's electoral commission said that with 94% of votes counted, 54% backed an end to term limits. | On Monday, Venezuela's electoral commission said that with 94% of votes counted, 54% backed an end to term limits. |
"The doors of the future are wide open," Mr Chavez shouted from the balcony of the Miraflores presidential palace after the results were announced. | "The doors of the future are wide open," Mr Chavez shouted from the balcony of the Miraflores presidential palace after the results were announced. |
CHAVEZ DECADE: KEY DATES Feb 1999: Takes office after winning 1998 election July: Re-elected under new constitution for a six-year term April 2002: Abortive coup. Chavez returns to power after two days August 2004: Wins recall referendum on whether he should serve out rest of his term Dec 2006: Wins another six-year term with 63% Dec 2007: Loses constitutional referendum which included proposal to allow the president to run indefinitely for officeFeb 2009: Wins referendum that lifts term limits on elected officials | CHAVEZ DECADE: KEY DATES Feb 1999: Takes office after winning 1998 election July: Re-elected under new constitution for a six-year term April 2002: Abortive coup. Chavez returns to power after two days August 2004: Wins recall referendum on whether he should serve out rest of his term Dec 2006: Wins another six-year term with 63% Dec 2007: Loses constitutional referendum which included proposal to allow the president to run indefinitely for officeFeb 2009: Wins referendum that lifts term limits on elected officials |
"In 2012 there will be presidential elections, and unless God decides otherwise, unless the people decide otherwise, this soldier is already a candidate." | "In 2012 there will be presidential elections, and unless God decides otherwise, unless the people decide otherwise, this soldier is already a candidate." |
Crowds of the president's supporters filled in the streets, letting off fireworks, waving red flags and honking car horns. | Crowds of the president's supporters filled in the streets, letting off fireworks, waving red flags and honking car horns. |
The BBC's Will Grant in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, says this was the kind of strong confirmation of his socialist agenda at the polls that Mr Chavez had been seeking. | The BBC's Will Grant in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, says this was the kind of strong confirmation of his socialist agenda at the polls that Mr Chavez had been seeking. |
More than 11 million voters out of almost 17 million who were eligible took part in the referendum, said the head of the electoral body, Tibisay Lucena. | More than 11 million voters out of almost 17 million who were eligible took part in the referendum, said the head of the electoral body, Tibisay Lucena. |
Election observers, who included representatives from Latin American nations, European Parliament deputies and European academics, said the ballot had been free and fair. | Election observers, who included representatives from Latin American nations, European Parliament deputies and European academics, said the ballot had been free and fair. |
Opposition figures said they would not contest the result but they said victory had been achieved thanks to huge government funding and blanket state television coverage. | Opposition figures said they would not contest the result but they said victory had been achieved thanks to huge government funding and blanket state television coverage. |
Under existing constitutional rules, the president was limited to two six-year terms in office, which meant that Mr Chavez would have had to leave the presidency in three years' time. | Under existing constitutional rules, the president was limited to two six-year terms in office, which meant that Mr Chavez would have had to leave the presidency in three years' time. |
A proposal to end presidential term limits was one of a package of 69 constitutional changes narrowly rejected in a referendum in late 2007. | A proposal to end presidential term limits was one of a package of 69 constitutional changes narrowly rejected in a referendum in late 2007. |
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