Chavez swearing-in postponed
|
A man holds a figurine of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a rally in support of his recovery in front of the Venezuelan embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Tuesday. Alejandro Pagni / Agence France-Presse |
Venezuela's decision to postpone the inauguration of President Hugo Chavez as he remains in Cuba battling cancer has prompted furious accusations from the opposition that the government is violating the constitution and they demand it should reveal how ill the socialist leader really is.
But government officials argued the inauguration can legally take place at a later date before the Supreme Court.
It is unclear what the opposition can do to prevent the delay.
Vice-President Nicolas Maduro broke the news that Chavez would not be able to attend the inauguration in a letter to National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello. Then, later on Tuesday, Venezuela's National Assembly, which is dominated by Chavez's allies, approved the proposal for Chavez to be sworn in at a later date before the Supreme Court.
The news sparked passionate debate in the assembly, with the opposition coalition arguing that if he is not sworn in on Thursday, Chavez must temporarily step aside and let the head of the National Assembly, Cabello, assume the presidency. Coalition leader Ramon Guillermo Aveledo wrote to the Organization of American States explaining their concerns, but other opposition leaders say there are no plans for protests on inauguration day.
"What I won't do is get people to fight against people," opposition leader Henrique Capriles told reporters. "Our country doesn't need hate. Our country doesn't need fights."
At the heart of the dispute are differing interpretations of Venezuela's constitution, which says the oath of office should be taken before lawmakers in the National Assembly on Thursday. But the charter adds that if he is unable to be sworn in by the National Assembly, the president may take the oath before the Supreme Court.
Opponents argue that even if the oath is taken before the Supreme Court it should be on Thursday. Chavez's allies argue that the charter doesn't explicitly specify on what day it must take place, and this allows them to delay Thursday's inauguration.
AP -AFP
