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Venezuela National Assembly meets amid Chavez crisis Venezuela National Assembly meets amid Chavez crisis
(about 1 hour later)
Venezuela's National Assembly is holding its new session as the health of President Hugo Chavez casts doubt over his inauguration on Thursday.Venezuela's National Assembly is holding its new session as the health of President Hugo Chavez casts doubt over his inauguration on Thursday.
Current leader Diosdado Cabello has been re-elected head of the assembly - dominated by Mr Chavez's supporters.Current leader Diosdado Cabello has been re-elected head of the assembly - dominated by Mr Chavez's supporters.
The president is in Cuba struggling to recover from his latest round of surgery to treat cancer.The president is in Cuba struggling to recover from his latest round of surgery to treat cancer.
Opposition leaders are calling for new elections if he cannot be sworn in for his new six-year term on Thursday.Opposition leaders are calling for new elections if he cannot be sworn in for his new six-year term on Thursday.
But Vice-President Nicolas Maduro has said the Supreme Court can swear in Mr Chavez at a later date.But Vice-President Nicolas Maduro has said the Supreme Court can swear in Mr Chavez at a later date.
As was expected, incumbent head of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello was re-elected as leader. That could be significant if President Chavez steps down before 10 January when he is due to be sworn in for a new term. Mr Cabello would find himself as the caretaker president of Venezuela while fresh elections were called.
The government insists that Mr Chavez will return and that his inauguration can simply be postponed to a later date.
Until then, Mr Cabello finds himself in a position of great power and influence. In the absence of President Chavez, he and Vice-President Nicolas Maduro are effectively running the country. The two men are seen as potential rivals for the socialist party nomination in any future election. They are very different - Cabello an astute businessman with a military background; Maduro a former bus driver with a spiritual side. But for now they are putting on a united front.
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Caracas says the normally routine opening of the National Assembly has been given added significance because of Mr Chavez's absence.The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Caracas says the normally routine opening of the National Assembly has been given added significance because of Mr Chavez's absence.
Under the constitution, the head of the assembly must lead the country if new elections are called.Under the constitution, the head of the assembly must lead the country if new elections are called.
Analysts say Mr Cabello is seen as a political rival to Mr Maduro, whom Mr Chavez has named as his preferred successor.Analysts say Mr Cabello is seen as a political rival to Mr Maduro, whom Mr Chavez has named as his preferred successor.
However, both men have vowed to maintain unity in the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).However, both men have vowed to maintain unity in the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Both visited Mr Chavez in Cuba earlier in the week, along with several other dignitaries.Both visited Mr Chavez in Cuba earlier in the week, along with several other dignitaries.
Hundreds of Chavez supporters responded to an appeal by Mr Cabello to rally outside parliament on Saturday.Hundreds of Chavez supporters responded to an appeal by Mr Cabello to rally outside parliament on Saturday.
Information Minister Ernesto Villegas, who was among the first government officials to arrive for the vote, said: "There is a clear leadership here by Comandante Chavez who is so responsible that he has even studied the worst case scenarios.Information Minister Ernesto Villegas, who was among the first government officials to arrive for the vote, said: "There is a clear leadership here by Comandante Chavez who is so responsible that he has even studied the worst case scenarios.
"We have a president who has been elected from 2013 to 2019... and that will be perfectly fulfilled. Chavez is the president of Venezuela. There is no other.""We have a president who has been elected from 2013 to 2019... and that will be perfectly fulfilled. Chavez is the president of Venezuela. There is no other."
Experts have different interpretations of what it would mean if Mr Chavez misses his inauguration.Experts have different interpretations of what it would mean if Mr Chavez misses his inauguration.
Some in the opposition say that if Mr Chavez is still in Cuba, power should pass to the head of the National Assembly and new elections should be held within 30 days.Some in the opposition say that if Mr Chavez is still in Cuba, power should pass to the head of the National Assembly and new elections should be held within 30 days.
But Mr Maduro has insisted that Thursday is not a fixed deadline and that there was no reason to declare Mr Chavez's "absolute absence" from office.But Mr Maduro has insisted that Thursday is not a fixed deadline and that there was no reason to declare Mr Chavez's "absolute absence" from office.
"The formality of his swearing-in can be resolved in the Supreme Court," he said."The formality of his swearing-in can be resolved in the Supreme Court," he said.
"The president right now is president.""The president right now is president."
Mr Chavez - who was re-elected for a fourth term in October - has not been seen in public since his latest round of surgery more than three weeks ago.Mr Chavez - who was re-elected for a fourth term in October - has not been seen in public since his latest round of surgery more than three weeks ago.
Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said on Thursday that the president had suffered complications due to a lung infection and had a "respiratory insufficiency".Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said on Thursday that the president had suffered complications due to a lung infection and had a "respiratory insufficiency".
Are you in Venezuela? What are your thoughts on the ill-health of President Chavez? Should there be new elections if he cannot be sworn in? You can send us your views using the form below.Are you in Venezuela? What are your thoughts on the ill-health of President Chavez? Should there be new elections if he cannot be sworn in? You can send us your views using the form below.