Debate on Constitution Gains Grounds in Venezuela

Debate on Constitution Gains Grounds in Venezuela

Francisco G. Navarro

Caracas, Aug 19 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela"s political panorama is dominated by an issue that has overshadowed other developments: the national debate on the Constitutional Reform presented by President Hugo Chavez this week.

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On August 15, when the head of State presented the draft text of the reform to the 1999 Constitution, Chavez called Venezuelan society to debate the document, which includes changes to 33 articles of the Magna Carta.

In the light of the president"s call, the assemblies of the socialist battalions, the grassroots cells of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV - under construction), reoriented their program on Saturday to exclusively discuss the Constitutional Reform.

That change in the program of the assemblies of battalions, which began three weekends ago, highlights the importance granted by the leadership of the Venezuelan revolution and President Chavez to the constitutional reform.

The national debate deals with the projected path to socialist development, announced by the head of State during his election campaign in the last quarter of 2006. Development will be legally based on the reformed Constitution.

After being reelected by more than 60 percent of voters in the elections held on December 3, 2006, Chavez thought it was necessary to reform the Constitution approved eight years ago to foster people"s power and social property.

Of the 33 articles of the 1999 Constitution that are subject to modifications, one of the most controversial is the one on reducing the labor day to six hours and 36 or 34 hours a week, depending on whether it is a day or night job.