PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez, recuperating in a Havana hospital after undergoing his fourth cancer-related surgery, received some heartening news from back home. In the provincial elections held in the third week of December, 20 out of the 23 gubernatorial seats were won by candidates put up by the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Henrique Caprilles, the opposition leader who had challenged Chavez in the presidential election in October, just about managed to hold on to the Governors post in the State of Miranda.
The PSUVs campaign chief, Jorge Rodriguez, said that the results, coming soon after the bitterly fought presidential contest, was an immense victory. He said that the Venezuelan people responded faithfully to Chavezs call for action.
The opposition, shocked by the dismal performance of its candidates, has tried to put the blame on the low turnout of voters. Caprilles also alleged that the government used the ill health of President Chavez to garner public sympathy. They took advantage of the circumstances and asked people to vote for Chavezs heath, he told the media. The real reason that the opposition lost, according to most analysts, was that it has not yet come to terms with the radical reforms that have been introduced in the country since Chavez came to power 14 years ago. They havent been able to comprehend that the majority of Venezuelans want a political project that makes social programmes and social spending a priority, said Hector Davilla, a Venezuelan political analyst.
Recent opinion polls have all shown that a new political culture has emerged in Venezuela. The socialist ideology propagated by Chavez has gained widespread acceptance. More than half the population supports a socialist model for the country. Only 29 per cent opposes it. For the average citizen of Venezuela, socialism is now synonymous with democracy and equality.
The election results have come as a tremendous morale booster for the Chavistas (the followers of Chavez) as their leader valiantly battles cancer. Before his departure to Havana, Cuba, Chavez had for the first time openly named Vice President Nicolas Maduro as his successor if something untoward were to happen to him.
In an emotional speech, Chavez told the Venezuelan people on December 8: If something happens that incapacitates me, Nicolas Maduro should not only serve out the period (2007-13) as the Constitution requires, but my firm opinionirrevocable, absolute, totalis that in that scenario, which could require a new presidential election, you should elect Nicolas Maduro as President.
Under the Venezuelan Constitution, if the President is not able to take his oath of office, a new election has to be called in 30 days. Chavez is to be sworn in for his new term in January. It is highly unlikely that Chavez will be fit enough to take his oath as scheduled.
John CherianCOMMents
COMMents
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