A new parliament convened in Venezuela on Wednesday. For the first time in years, the opposition has, with 40 percent of seats, a substantial representation.
However, opposition members have already indicated that their powers have been limited. The outgoing Parliament has given leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez the power to rule by decree for the next 18 months.
It also passed new rules that Parliament will meet only four days a month, according to the BBC.
Addressing pro-Chavez supporters outside of Parliament on Wednesday, the president told them, “Our deputies will crush them. They'll be swept away by the voices of the truth of a fighting people,” according to AFP.
However, opposition members have already indicated that their powers have been limited. The outgoing Parliament has given leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez the power to rule by decree for the next 18 months.
It also passed new rules that Parliament will meet only four days a month, according to the BBC.
Addressing pro-Chavez supporters outside of Parliament on Wednesday, the president told them, “Our deputies will crush them. They'll be swept away by the voices of the truth of a fighting people,” according to AFP.