September 30, 2007
Venezuela's National Assembly is ready for the third discussion of the constitutional reform

(Prensa Latina) - 'Venezuela's National Assembly is making preparations for the third discussion of the constitutional reform project, encouraged by President Hugo Chávez to consolidate the construction of socialism in the country.

Legislative sources announced that the final debate is expected to be held on October 9, to approve article by article the constitutional changes.

Chávez' initiative includes modifications to 33 articles in the Constitution, and the parliamentarian Joint Commission will take into consideration those proposals that do not alter the essence of the related law.

According to the member of the National Assembly, Mario Isea, president of the socialist parliamentary bloc, it is possible that the proposal might be changed somehow, to adjust the content to the reform.

In this connection, it is likely the reform extends to some 50 articles, as some of them are related to the projected topics that need to be changed.

In addition, it would be necessary to change the names of constitutional chapters and titles, taking into consideration the recommendations made by the president in mid August.

The one-chamber legislative body opened a room to receive viewpoints and suggestions by all sectors of the Venezuelan society, even those by opposition groups'.