Strike leaders are a mix of conservatives, business associations, labour unions and civic groups. Their often conflicting petitions reflected their various agendas. One called for a constitutional amendment declaring Chavez's term over. Another would cut his term from six years to four, allowing elections this year. A third would create a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution and call general elections. Yet another option: A binding referendum halfway into Chavez's term, or in August, as permitted by the constitution. That idea was supported recently by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter.
Chavez says he prefers the August option - a referendum he could win because the opposition, while condemning political and economic unrest, has yet to present an alternative to his populist "revolution" for the poor. While Manuel Cova, secretary general of the Venezuela Workers Confederation, claimed some sort of vote could be held as early as March, Venezuela has no one to organize a vote.
The Supreme Court ruled last month that the Chavez-dominated Congress must appoint a new board of directors for the National Elections Council. Without a council, no one can verify the signatures collected Sunday. ***
The proposal was unacceptable, said Ronald Blanco la Cruz, a government negotiator at talks mediated by the Organization of American States. Despite international pressure for early elections, he said the only reasonable proposal was a binding referendum on Chavez's presidency at the midpoint of his presidential term. The earliest such a referendum could be held is August, but obstacles to balloting could set the vote back much later. Before any vote can be organized, the Chavez-controlled National Assembly must appoint a new National Electoral Council. ***