The President will serve a third term

But not everyone likes the indefinite Chavez

On the eve of the referendum on changing the Venezuelan constitution, scheduled for December 2, riots broke out in the country. A few days ago in Caracas, a demonstration of thousands was dispersed with tear gas. But opponents of changing the country's basic law took to the streets. Thousands of opposition-minded students clashed with supporters of constitutional reform, also students, on Wednesday on the territory of the Central University of Venezuela. Eight people were injured in the clashes, according to local media reports.

Independent sources speak of a much higher number of victims, including two killed, shot by unknown masked men. In addition to Caracas, unrest also spread to other cities in the country. In total, about 80 thousand people take part in protest rallies.

The unrest in Venezuela was a response to the initiatives of the country's President Hugo Chavez to change the constitution in order to extend presidential powers . The current constitution prevents Chavez, 53, a former professional military man, from running for president a third time. In July, he proposed making 69 amendments to the text of the main law. This proposal has already been approved by the Venezuelan parliament, where the majority of deputies belong to the ruling United Socialist Movement.

Hugo Chavez first assumed the presidency in 1998 for a five-year term. A year later, the Venezuelan constitution was amended to extend the presidential term to six years and allow for two consecutive terms. In 2000, presidential elections were held in accordance with the new law. Chavez became the winner again. In 2006, the situation repeated itself. The next elections are due to take place in 2012.

Now, if voters approve the new changes on December 2, the path will be clear for the incumbent president to rule for life. Indeed, among the amendments is the abolition of all restrictions on the participation in elections of the current head of state and the extension of presidential powers from six to seven years.

Students marched from the university to the Supreme Court building to demand that the constitutional referendum be postponed until February 2008 to give citizens more time to think. Chavez himself is confident in the success of his legislative initiative. “I have no doubt that the overwhelming majority of the country’s population will vote for the new constitution,” he said at a rally of thousands in Caracas on November 4. According to Chavez, citizens should have the right to re-elect their favorite leader as many times as they want. The president warned opponents: “I warn opposition leaders not to play with fire and try to provoke unrest. If they try to do this, they will bitterly regret it.”

Nikolay GOLYGIN