Chavez says decree powers may last 18 months

Opposition parties were furious.

"This is madness, a lack of respect for the popular will and a coup d'etat against the constitution," opposition politician Pastora Medina told Reuters.

"He's consolidating himself as a dictator."

No! A Dictator ?

Nice you nitwits are finally waking up, to bad it is a little to late.


(Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez sought to outflank Venezuela's rejuvenated opposition on Monday by vowing to assume decree powers for up to 18 months in a move bound to heighten criticism he is stifling democracy.

The charismatic socialist leader and U.S. critic justifies the measure as an emergency response to floods that have made 130,000 people homeless -- but it is also clearly a preemptive step before a less compliant parliament convenes on January 5.

Chavez accepted the results of a September vote that gave opponents about 40 percent of seats in the 165-member National Assembly. Opposition parties had feared he would simply bypass parliament rather than face a brake on power.

"We'll show them what we're capable of!" Chavez said, waving a copy of the special "Enabling Law" his Cabinet is preparing to submit to the outgoing parliament on Tuesday.

Opposition parties were furious.

"This is madness, a lack of respect for the popular will and a coup d'etat against the constitution," opposition politician Pastora Medina told Reuters.

"He's consolidating himself as a dictator."