Via the BBC: Chavez seeks end to term limits
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has confirmed that he will try to change the law to allow him to remain in power indefinitely.Under the current constitution, Mr Chavez will have to leave office at the end of his term in 2024.
But he says he wants to remain in power for as long as Venezuelans continue to support him.
The constitution is under review and Mr Chavez is expected to make changes to cement in law his socialist revolution.
This will hardly be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.
Sphere: Related Content
[…] As Steven Taylor at Poliblog says: This will hardly be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. Posted by doug in politics, doug, hugo chavez | […]
Pingback by Hugo Chavez: No term limits for me! :: all-encompassingly :: blog — Monday, August 6, 2024 @ 9:23 am
this may seem a remarkable policy for people who have an insular, singular view of democracy.
however, the use of indefinite re-election is used in many liberal democracies, including the United Kingdom.
if the people of Venezuela want Chavez to remain their President (as they indicated in last december’s landslide general election) then Chavez will remain. if they no longer want him to be their President, then he will no longer be in charge. I don’t see how this could be objectionable to those who believe in democracy
Comment by marko — Monday, August 6, 2024 @ 11:05 am
Several thoughts come to mind, not the least of which is that is rather clear that Chavez is consolidating power and is constantly manipulating the rules and the conditions in such a way as to maintain himself in power. This more than just “no term limits and let the people decide.”
And, one need look no further than Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska to see how longevity in office frequently results in corruption.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Monday, August 6, 2024 @ 11:24 am
Marko is, of course, right (”indefinite re-election is used in many liberal democracies”). However, indefinite (eligibility for) reelection of the executive is very rare in presidential systems (because of the inherent tendency for concentration of executive power in such systems). And it is typically found in presidential systems only where there is one “strongman” relatively free of any checks and balances. (The list of Latin American presidents who did not face any term limits is not a promising one, e.g. Peron, Balaguer, Stroessner…)
An argument on this point by analogy from parliamentary democracies just does not fly. Prime ministers are constantly dependent upon their own party (and, in a coalition, upon other parties) to remain in office, and so the notion of their being subject to perpetual (eligibility for) reelection is really beside the point.
Comment by MSS — Monday, August 6, 2024 @ 1:57 pm
firstly, although i would disagree about not being able to draw a comparison with non-presidential systems, i thank you for your knowledgable and fair-minded response.
to save myself time, some of people here may be interested in this article, considering indefinite re-election in other countries.
http://vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=75027
i am curious about the amount of media space given over to criticising Chavez.
i wonder if those who dislike him and broadly agree with the US government’s stance on him, could admit that there are numerous undemocratic dictators, tyrants and human rights abusers, who recieve merely of a fraction of the time that the US media and the US government?
Comment by marko — Monday, August 6, 2024 @ 2:58 pm
“L’État, C’est Chavez!”
All he needs now is a young, conflicted Jedi acolyte:Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has confirmed that he will try to change the law to allow him to remain in power indefinitel…
Trackback by A Stitch in Haste — Wednesday, August 8, 2024 @ 2:18 pm