Chavez May Call
Referendum On
Presidential Term Limit
In 2 Years
Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez said Friday
he may call another
revocatory referendum in
two years on whether to
allow him for reelection
for another term.
"I may summon it, a
referendum against
myself...But I would
make two questions: Do
you agree that Hugo
Chavez continues in
power? Are you willing
to make a small
amendment in the
Constitution to allow
the continuous
reelection?" Chavez told
the national legislative
assembly.
Chavez, 53, lost a
referendum on Dec. 2 in
his efforts to seek
constitutional changes
that would allow him for
reelection in 2012and
more grip on power.
The president said he
prefers calling the
referendum by himself,
but added that there are
two options available.
The referendum call can
be made either by the
assembly, or the
Venezuelan people if
they manage to collect
enough signatures to
meet the requirements.
Chavez said he would
choose to retire and
would not participate in
any electoral contest if
he were to be defeated.
"If I were to be
revoked, I would not
present myself again as
a candidate," he said.
Chavez lost in a
referendum early last
month with 49 percent of
the vote, failing to
push through 69
constitutional changes,
including the extension
of the presidency.
Chavez said he does not
feel himself
indispensable, but wants
more years to remain as
head of the nation
because he thinks it is
necessary.
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