Caracas court sets out poll rules (BBC)

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3304759.stm

Caracas court sets out poll rules


Pro- and anti-Chavez camps are gearing up for a final battle

The Venezuelan Supreme Court has published the rules that will govern a possible referendum on the presidency of Hugo Chavez.

There is a current lull in the power struggle as officials verify whether the opposition has collected enough valid signatures to trigger a poll.

Opinion is divided on who the rules will benefit in a referendum.

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The Supreme Council on Tuesday set out two requirements the opposition must meet if they are to win the referendum, in the event that a referendum does go ahead:

• More Venezuelans must vote to remove Mr Chavez in the referendum than the 3.8 million (or 60% of the voting population) who voted him in at the last presidential election in 2000.

• More Venezuelans must vote Mr Chavez out than vote to retain him as president on the actual day of the poll.

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1. funny one from the AP

http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/ap12-08-172000.asp?reg=AMERICAS

Venezuela's Christmas carols a mix of holiday cheer and political jabs

CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. 8 (AP) — With a nod to Christmas cheer, Venezuela's politicians are reveling — and railing — in a sometimes sour twist on holiday season carols called ''gaitas.''

Venezuela's feisty gaitas always have had a political bent, much like calypso in the Caribbean. But this year's lyrics are spouting more venom because of an opposition campaign seeking to force a recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez.

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Grupo Madera, a pro-government song and dance troupe, has a catchy musical video called ''Oh, No! Chavez Will Not Go!'' that is broadcast regularly by government television.

''The opposition simply doesn't have the 'salsa,' the flavor that makes people move,'' says Grupo Madera's manager, Noel Marquez.

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