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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chavez backers rally for reforms | Chavez backers rally for reforms |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| President Hugo Chavez is set to urge voters to back constitutional reforms he says are needed to further Venezuela's socialist revolution. | President Hugo Chavez is set to urge voters to back constitutional reforms he says are needed to further Venezuela's socialist revolution. |
| His call for a "Yes" vote in Sunday's referendum is due to be made at a rally in central Caracas later in the day. | His call for a "Yes" vote in Sunday's referendum is due to be made at a rally in central Caracas later in the day. |
| The reforms include allowing the indefinite re-election of the president and ending the Central Bank's autonomy. | The reforms include allowing the indefinite re-election of the president and ending the Central Bank's autonomy. |
| Critics say the reforms amount to a power grab but supporters say the changes will deepen democracy. | Critics say the reforms amount to a power grab but supporters say the changes will deepen democracy. |
| On Thursday, a huge crowd gathered in the capital to voice their opposition to the planned changes. | On Thursday, a huge crowd gathered in the capital to voice their opposition to the planned changes. |
| KEY PROPOSALS Indefinite re-election of president, term increased from 6 to 7 yearsCentral Bank's autonomy endedStructure of country's administrative districts reorganisedMaximum working day cut from 8 hours to 6Voting age lowered from 18 to 16Social security benefits extended to workers in informal sector Q&A: Venezuela's referendum class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3879&edition=1">Send your comments | |
| Supporters of the "Yes" campaign, who have begun taking to the streets, are due to hold their final rally in the same spot in central Caracas. | Supporters of the "Yes" campaign, who have begun taking to the streets, are due to hold their final rally in the same spot in central Caracas. |
| On Sunday, voters will be asked whether they agree with a package of constitutional reforms. | On Sunday, voters will be asked whether they agree with a package of constitutional reforms. |
| Opinion polls have suggested that the result could be close, although surveys in the past have tended to underestimate the level of support Mr Chavez enjoys. | Opinion polls have suggested that the result could be close, although surveys in the past have tended to underestimate the level of support Mr Chavez enjoys. |
| Mr Chavez proposed 33 changes, and the National Assembly, which is composed of his supporters, put forward a further 36 amendments. | Mr Chavez proposed 33 changes, and the National Assembly, which is composed of his supporters, put forward a further 36 amendments. |
| Working week | Working week |
| One proposal is to allow the president to stand for re-election an indefinite number of times. | One proposal is to allow the president to stand for re-election an indefinite number of times. |
| Mr Chavez has said he is prepared to serve for life as long as the people want it. Under the current constitution, he would have to stand down when his term expires at the end of 2012. | Mr Chavez has said he is prepared to serve for life as long as the people want it. Under the current constitution, he would have to stand down when his term expires at the end of 2012. |
| The opposition camp has mounted a vocal campaign | The opposition camp has mounted a vocal campaign |
| Other changes up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials, and reducing the voting age from 18 to 16. | Other changes up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials, and reducing the voting age from 18 to 16. |
| There are also proposals to expanding presidential powers during natural disasters or political "emergencies". | There are also proposals to expanding presidential powers during natural disasters or political "emergencies". |
| On the social front, changes include establishing a maximum six-hour working day and 36-hour working week, and widening social security benefit to workers in the informal economy. | On the social front, changes include establishing a maximum six-hour working day and 36-hour working week, and widening social security benefit to workers in the informal economy. |
| A number of defections from the president's camp have encouraged opponents, but Mr Chavez has dismissed these one-time allies as traitors. | A number of defections from the president's camp have encouraged opponents, but Mr Chavez has dismissed these one-time allies as traitors. |
| Are you in Venezuela? What do you think of Hugo Chavez? Is he a real campaigner for change or a threat to democracy in his country? Are you concerned about the proposed constitutional changes which could be approved by a referendum on Sunday? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Venezuela? What do you think of Hugo Chavez? Is he a real campaigner for change or a threat to democracy in his country? Are you concerned about the proposed constitutional changes which could be approved by a referendum on Sunday? Send us your comments using the form below: |