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Venezuela: Supreme court backtracks on powers bid | Venezuela: Supreme court backtracks on powers bid |
(25 days later) | |
The Venezuelan Supreme Court has reversed its ruling to strip congress of its legislative powers. | |
It made the decision after the government of President Nicolas Maduro urged it to review the ruling "to maintain institutional stability". | It made the decision after the government of President Nicolas Maduro urged it to review the ruling "to maintain institutional stability". |
The initial decision - announced on Wednesday - had been denounced as a "coup" by the opposition, which dominates the National Assembly. | The initial decision - announced on Wednesday - had been denounced as a "coup" by the opposition, which dominates the National Assembly. |
Anti-government protesters have staged daily protests against the move. | Anti-government protesters have staged daily protests against the move. |
The supreme court announced the reversal on its website. | The supreme court announced the reversal on its website. |
A day earlier, chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega, an ally of President Nicolas Maduro, became the first high-ranking official to criticise the judges. | A day earlier, chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega, an ally of President Nicolas Maduro, became the first high-ranking official to criticise the judges. |
Speaking live on TV, she expressed "great concern" about a measure which, she said, violated the constitution. | Speaking live on TV, she expressed "great concern" about a measure which, she said, violated the constitution. |
Promising dialogue to end the crisis, Mr Maduro had convened a late-night meeting of the state security council. | Promising dialogue to end the crisis, Mr Maduro had convened a late-night meeting of the state security council. |
Afterwards Vice-President Tareck El Aissami said: "We urge the supreme court to review the decisions... in order to maintain institutional stability and the balance of powers." | Afterwards Vice-President Tareck El Aissami said: "We urge the supreme court to review the decisions... in order to maintain institutional stability and the balance of powers." |
Mr Maduro said: "This controversy has been overcome, showing the power of dialogue." | Mr Maduro said: "This controversy has been overcome, showing the power of dialogue." |
How did the dispute start? | How did the dispute start? |
In its original ruling, the supreme court had annulled the powers of the assembly, allowing the judges to write laws. | In its original ruling, the supreme court had annulled the powers of the assembly, allowing the judges to write laws. |
The court had accused lawmakers of "contempt" after allegations of irregularities by three opposition lawmakers during the 2015 elections. | The court had accused lawmakers of "contempt" after allegations of irregularities by three opposition lawmakers during the 2015 elections. |
The court has backed the leftist president in his ongoing struggles with the legislature. On Tuesday it removed parliamentary immunity from the assembly's members. | The court has backed the leftist president in his ongoing struggles with the legislature. On Tuesday it removed parliamentary immunity from the assembly's members. |
There has been widespread international condemnation, with the Organisation of American States talking of the "final blow to democracy" in Venezuela. | There has been widespread international condemnation, with the Organisation of American States talking of the "final blow to democracy" in Venezuela. |
Why the reversal? By Will Grant, BBC News, Havana | Why the reversal? By Will Grant, BBC News, Havana |
It seems that a combination of internal and external pressures forced President Maduro's hand. | It seems that a combination of internal and external pressures forced President Maduro's hand. |
Inside Venezuela, the opposition's outcry was to be expected. However the sight of the normally loyal Attorney General, Luisa Ortega, openly criticising the move as unconstitutional was for many observers a turning point, and perhaps evidence of a wider split within "Chavismo". | Inside Venezuela, the opposition's outcry was to be expected. However the sight of the normally loyal Attorney General, Luisa Ortega, openly criticising the move as unconstitutional was for many observers a turning point, and perhaps evidence of a wider split within "Chavismo". |
Externally too, the response was very robust. Cuba, arguably Venezuela's staunchest ally, has been unwavering in its support. The Organization of American States held a special meeting in which other allies of Venezuela also lent their support to Mr Maduro. However, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and others called for cooler heads to prevail and for a return to the democratic order. | |
In the end, it seems President Maduro may have decided that the supreme court's move was a step too far politically and hoped to avoid a repeat of the massive street protests which have led to violence in the past. | In the end, it seems President Maduro may have decided that the supreme court's move was a step too far politically and hoped to avoid a repeat of the massive street protests which have led to violence in the past. |
Perhaps even the election this weekend in Ecuador played a role. The race in the Andean nation is very tight and it can't have helped President Rafael Correa, as a close friend to Venezuela, to have to support a move that was being billed by some as a "self-coup" in the days before a presidential election. | Perhaps even the election this weekend in Ecuador played a role. The race in the Andean nation is very tight and it can't have helped President Rafael Correa, as a close friend to Venezuela, to have to support a move that was being billed by some as a "self-coup" in the days before a presidential election. |
Tensions have been high in Venezuela because the country has been engulfed in a severe economic crisis. | Tensions have been high in Venezuela because the country has been engulfed in a severe economic crisis. |
It has the world's highest inflation rate, which the International Monetary Fund predicts could reach 1,660% next year. Long queues, power cuts and shortages of basic goods are common. | It has the world's highest inflation rate, which the International Monetary Fund predicts could reach 1,660% next year. Long queues, power cuts and shortages of basic goods are common. |
The government and opposition blame each other for the country's problems, made worse by the falling price of oil, Venezuela's main export product. | The government and opposition blame each other for the country's problems, made worse by the falling price of oil, Venezuela's main export product. |
President Maduro has become increasingly unpopular and the opposition has called for his removal. | President Maduro has become increasingly unpopular and the opposition has called for his removal. |
Correction 25 April 2017: This article has been amended to clarify that the OAS held a special, rather than an emergency, meeting and that Cuba's support was unrelated to that meeting. |