- Nicolás Maduro calls for the Venezuelan Constituent Assembly to calm the violent protests of the opposition that are shaking the country. It is not yet clear when and how the vote will take place, as this must be determined by the National Electoral Council.
The Assembly will be composed of 500 constituents, all of whom will be elected by vote. According to Telesur, half of the 500 will originate from common lists of candidates, while the other half will be selected from lists drawn up in various sectors, including production, business, agriculture, labour and education.
On the other hand, the opposition and many of its supporters are spreading the idea that half of the candidates will be selected from social organizations formed by the communes. The system of communes is a structure made up of popular organizations, created by Hugo Chávez himself to create popular social structures. Although participation in them is open to everyone, it is generally the leftist sectors of society that have organized themselves in them, since the opposition has refused to participate in them.
However, the National Electoral Council will announce the definitive voting system in the coming days.
On the other hand, Maduro has proposed nine topics to be addressed in the constituent assembly:
To achieve peace.
- Expansion and improvement of the Venezuelan economic system (Venezuela is a country that has historically lived from oil exploitation).
- Incorporation into the Constitution of the social programs implemented so far.
- Create more effective justice and security.
- Incorporation of the social organization of the communes in the constitution.
- The establishment of a more direct and participatory democracy.
- Strengthening the national sovereignty.
Look at the reality of young people.
Look at the effects of climate change.
Maduro has repeatedly offered the opposition the solution to the dialogue in the situation of violence and conflict that is emerging in Venezuela. Although unsuccessful attempts were made last fall, the opposition has not explained its intention to meet since then. “The convening of a constituent assembly is the only way to prevent serious events from happening in Venezuela,” according to Maduro.
The right-wing opposition denounces that this process will give the Chavismo the excuse to dissolve the National Assembly, in the hands of the opposition, but they explain that during the constituent process the public powers will be in force together with the process, as they did in the constituent process of 1999.