National Assembly convenes amidst controversy in Venezuela

National Assembly convenes amidst controversy in Venezuela

2011-01-06 04:58:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (BNO NEWS) -- The National Assembly on Wednesday convened in Venezuela amidst controversy as opposition politician took up seats for the first time in five years.

According to the state-run AVN news agency, Fernando Soto Rojas was named head of the Venezuelan parliament for the 2011-2012 period. Soto is member of the ruling socialist PSUV party.

For the first time in five years, opposition politicians took up seats in the National Assembly. 65 lawmakers from opposition parties including UNT and "Primero Justicia" (First Justice) party were elected last September but PSUV still has majority, with 98 seats.

During their first participation in the parliament, right-wing lawmakers expressed their condemnation over the denial of seats towards Jose Sanchez Montiel, aka "Mazuco," and Biaggio Pilieri, as they face criminal charges.

Sanchez Montiel was sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment over the murder of an intelligence official in 2007. On the other hand, Pilieri is currently under trial on corruption charges as he was serving as a government official.

The PSUV legislators called on the opposition parties to follow the Constitution and laws approved by the previous parliament. However, opposition said that the recent passing of the Enabling Law will diminish their influence in the country's policies.

The controversial legislation was approved last December by the National Assembly. It granted President Hugo Chavez the power to enact laws by himself for 18 months and removing the parliament vote on the passage of bills.

President Chavez requested the passage of the Enabling Law to solve all the needs and structural repairs after the severe damages left by the devastating floods which killed around 40 people and left some 140,000 others homeless.

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