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 The BBC's Peter Greste"The final document is finished and ready for vote"  real 28k  |
Venezuelans march against new charter
A woman shouts "No to dictatorship!" at the president's supporters |
By the BBC's Stephen Cviic
Thousands of people have marched through the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, to protest against a new constitution drawn up by supporters of President Hugo Chavez.
Thousands took part in the peaceful protest |
The new constitution is to be voted on in a referendum next month.
Since he was elected president last December, Hugo Chavez has basically got his own way.
The strong support he enjoys from poor Venezuelans, tired of the corruption of the old political elite, means that the former paratrooper is still riding high in the opinion polls. But now, his opponents think it's time their voices were heard.
 This isn't against Chavez. There's an avalanche of public opinion against this constitution  |
| Carabobo state Governor Henrique Salas Feo |
The process was led by some state governors and mayors who say the new constitution will deprive them of their autonomy and set a dangerously authoritarian trend.
The governor of Merida state, William Davila, described the document as militarist and stateist.
But President Chavez's supporters say the protesters are merely old-style politicians, afraid of losing power when new elections are held.
Divided opinion
Like everything else surrounding Hugo Chavez, the proposed new constitution is intensely controversial, both at home and abroad. It will allow the president to stay in office for an extra year and then to seek re-election.
It would also abolish the senate and set up a new single chamber congress.
Local and international opinion is divided about whether it really is authoritarian, but many senior businessmen are unhappy with its economic clauses, fearing that Venezuela could be about to repeat the Brazilian mistake of entrenching expensive social entitlement.
However, there seems to be little doubt that President Chavez will win the "yes" vote he is seeking next month, driving another nail of the coffin of Venezuela's old political establishment.
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04 Nov 99 | Crossing continents |
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Venezuela's quiet revolution |
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27 Aug 99 | Americas |
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Analysis: Popularity based on reform promise |
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27 Aug 99 | Americas |
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Chavez: Hero or demagogue? |
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05 Nov 99 | Americas |
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Venezuela votes to extend presidency |
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25 Jul 99 | Americas |
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Venezuelans back Chavez |
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