Venezuela court blocks another opposition tactic to oust Maduro

Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:46pm BST
Related: World

Venezuela court blocks another opposition tactic to oust Maduro


Venezuela's Supreme Court shot down on Monday one of the opposition's main tactics to oust socialist leader Nicolas Maduro with a ruling that any constitutional amendment to reduce the presidential term could not be retroactive.

Having won control of the legislature last year due to public ire over an economic crisis, the opposition coalition is seeking to remove Maduro via popular pressure, constitutional reform or a recall referendum.

However, government-leaning institutions are thwarting it at every turn: the National Election Council is dragging its feet on the referendum, and the Supreme Court is striking down measures passed by the opposition in parliament.

In its latest judgment, the court said that while modification of the six-year presidential term was viable in principle if approved in a referendum, "it cannot take effect retroactively or be applied immediately."

More:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-venezuela-politics-idUKKCN0XM2B7?rpc=401