Venezuela's Chavez may shorten decree powers

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Reuters:

(Reuters) - Denying he was a dictator, President Hugo Chavez offered on Saturday to give up much-criticized decree powers in May, a year ahead of schedule, if post-flood emergency measures were implemented quickly.

Addressing the South American nation's parliament, Chavez said he was being unfairly "demonized" around the world and was prepared to give up sooner than expected the fast-track powers given for 18 months under an Enabling Law passed in December.

"I am capable of asking this National Assembly to overturn the Enabling Law...So if anyone feels restricted (by the decree powers), then I'll send it back, I have no problem," he said.

Chavez pledged to work "harder" and "faster" to push through decrees by May he says are needed for reconstruction and relief after floods that left more than 130,000 homeless.

"In four to five months we may be able to carry out all the laws to manage the emergency," he said.

The socialist Chavez, who has led Venezuela on an increasingly radical path since 1999, requested decree powers from the outgoing parliament at the end of last year. The decree authority was to have lasted to mid-2012, a few months before a presidential vote where he plans to run again.

Critics said the real intention was to undercut the incoming National Assembly, which has a greater presence of opposition lawmakers who were relishing the chance to try to block Chavez's agenda.

Chavez said the wave of criticism against him at home and abroad over the Enabling Law was unjustified.

"There is a campaign to make me out to be a devil," he said. "How on earth can they make out that the Enabling Law means we are in a dictatorship?"
________

I dunno, Fidel Jr. Maybe because you are a dictator?

[Pepper]

"So if anyone feels restricted (by the decree powers), then I'll send it back, I have no problem," he said."

 

Who will be the first Venezuelan with the gumption to raise his hand and say, "Hola, Jefe, I feel restricted".