Venezuela's Maduro says recall vote will be in 2017 at earliest

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Sat Jun 11, 2016 7:28pm EDT

Venezuela's Maduro says recall vote will be in 2017 at earliest

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Saturday that a potential recall referendum against him would be in 2017 at the earliest, pushing back against growing opposition pressure to have the vote this year.

If Maduro, a socialist, were to lose a recall referendum in 2016, a new presidential election would be held. If it only occurs next year, his vice president would replace him in the event of a loss.

"There will be no blackmailing here. If the recall referendum's requirements are met, it will be next year and that's it," Maduro said on state television.

"If the requirements aren't met, there will be no referendum and that's it," he added.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKCN0YX0PJ

[Marksman_91]

1. I don't think the nincompoop has any say in the matter, at least according to the Ven. Constitution

[bemildred]

2. Like anybody really gives a shit about the Constitution. nt

[Marksman_91]

3. Yep, especially Maduro and the PSUV. They trample over it every day n/t

[bemildred]

4. Right, but the opposition wants to save Chavez' Constitution.

If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.

The first thing the opposition will try to do when they throw Maduro out is throw out that constitution too. Maduro, on the other hand, relies on it to keep him in power.

Thus, just like the US government, Maduro can be relied on to protect his Constitutuion, even though he hates the restrictions it places on his freedom of action.

The opposition is going to want their own, new constitution, one that will keep them in power instead.

[bemildred]

5. Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro says no referendum this year

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has said that a referendum the opposition is trying to call to oust him will not take place this year.

There was no time to organise the recall referendum, said Mr Maduro.

On Friday the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared more than 600,000 signatures on a petition for the referendum invalid.

The opposition says the electoral authorities are working alongside the government to derail the process.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36508761