Caracas - The Venezuelan parliament on Monday added oil to
the fields in which it will grant special powers to President Hugo
Chavez.
'The full contents of this bill have been approved. (The National
Assembly) incorporated the energy field and the article related to
the law going into force,' parliamentary speaker Cilia Flores said.
'The rest of the articles were approved in full, somewhat improving
and complementing the proposal coming from the executive.'
The formal approval of special powers - set to allow Chavez to
rule by decree in a number of areas - is expected to take place on
Wednesday.
Chavez had requested special powers for 18 months in a broad
sphere of national matters as he attempts to establish a socialist
system.
No setbacks were expected in the National Assembly, since the
unicameral Venezuelan legislature is fully controlled by Chavez
supporters. The country's opposition boycotted the last legislative
election in 2005, leaving all seats in the hands of the president's
party and a handful of allied political forces.
Chavez requested special powers in several areas - the structure
of state organs, the election of officials at the local level,
finance and taxes, banking, and safety and national defence. If the
request is approved, the president will be able to sanction laws
without prior debate in Congress.
Opposition parties have criticized the latest move as a step
toward totalitarianism.
Flores said that by adding energy the executive will be able
to adapt any norm regarding hydrocarbons and their derivatives,
including the creation of joint ventures and the provision of
electricity.
Venezuela is the fifth-largest oil exporter in the world.
Flores argued that special powers are justified for the 're-
founding of the homeland,' and stressed that this legislation will
serve to achieve 'inclusion and social justice.'
The controversial left-wing populist Chavez - who also enjoyed
special powers in 2001 - said earlier this month that he will
nationalize the country's largest electricity and telecommunications
firms, and announced his intention to seek special powers, end the
autonomy of the country's Central Bank, and change the constitution
to be able to run for re-election an infinite number of terms.
On January 10 he was inaugurated for a new mandate through 2013.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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