Pro-government assembly takes powers of congress
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s new progovernment Constituent Assembly formally moved Friday to assume the powers of the opposition-dominated congress, completing what critics call a power grab that effectively puts all branches of government under the control of President Nicolas Maduro.
The Constituent Assembly, created in a July 30 vote decried as fraud by the opposition and a host of nations, had begun to assume the role of the National Assembly, whose members were democratically elected in 2015.
But in a move likely to spark further international condemnations, the motion Friday formalized the arrangement. The body was also poised to pass a new law that critics say could be used to punish opposition leaders and government protesters with up to 25 years in prison.
The body had invited National Assembly mem bers to attend Friday’s session — an invitation that was declined. Before the vote to assume their powers, the Constituent Assembly’s president, Delcy Rodriguez — a top Maduro ally — theatrically pointed to the empty seats reserved for them.
“When they’re called for national dialogue, cameras please, see? Empty seats. There’s the definition of the Venezuelan right.”
The opposition, which does not recognize the Constituent Assembly, rejected the move.
they want to do is keep stealing!” tweeted opposition legislator Juan Andres Mejia. “The world and Venezuelans have said it very clear. We DON’T recognize the fraudulent constituent national assembly.”
Maduro — the anointed successor of Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013 — has billed the new Constituent Assembly as the cornerstone of his completing Chavez’s socialist dream. The assembly’s members are being vested with vast powers to change the constitution.