Venezuela leader sees 'disappearance' of opposition legislature
Source: Reuters
World | Tue May 17, 2016 11:00pm EDT
Venezuela leader sees 'disappearance' of opposition legislature
CARACAS | BY ANDREW CAWTHORNE AND DANIEL KAI
President Nicolas Maduro predicted on Wednesday the imminent demise of Venezuela's opposition-led parliament, amid an acrimonious conflict of powers that is delaying solutions to its economic crisis.
"The National Assembly has lost political validity. It's a matter of time before it disappears," Maduro told reporters.
The 53-year-old socialist leader did not specify further on what could happen to the legislature, although last month he threatened a constitutional amendment to cut its five-year term.
Capitalizing on public anger over the economic mess, the opposition coalition won control of the National Assembly in a December vote and is pushing for a referendum to oust Maduro, the unpopular successor to the late Hugo Chavez.
But ruling Socialist Party officials say there is not time to organize such a vote this year, and the government-leaning Election Board is dragging its feet on paperwork.
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