Anticorruption campaign with ulterior motives:Venezuela

The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its political adversaries gathered at the Democratic Unity Table (MUD), are far from overcoming the mutual distrust that has made it virtually impossible for a reasoned debate on the most pressing problems of the country and its viable solutions. That has again become clear since last August 12, when Nicolas Maduro-successor to the late Hugo Chavez as president, announced that he would declare war on corruption at the national, regional and municipal levels.

Maduro said that would require approval of a law enabling the National Assembly to grant him special powers to curb phenomena such as embezzlement and illicit enrichment in the field of state administration and other crimes against the public treasury. But considering that about fifty low-ranking officials have been arrested since late July for committing such offenses, the question arises whether the existing anti-corruption laws are not sufficient to meet this challenge.

"Populist campaigns of this style are typical of leaders as the current president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro. He's not a career politician. In fact, like Chavez, Maduro never tires of repeating that he does not belong to the political elite bureaucracy or traditional country. And, like other anti-politicians in the past, now Maduro suggests that it is precisely what enables him to combat administrative corruption prevailing "criticizes Claudia Zilla, a researcher at the Foundation for Science and Politics (SWP) in Berlin.

 Former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) ruled by decree on several occasions. Former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) ruled by decree on several occasions.

Special powers against abuse of power

"What Maduro is saying is, 'corruption thrives in politics and public administration, and only someone who comes from outside, like me, can fight corruption without compromise'. But he seems to ignore the paradox implicit in the act of demanding special powers to end corruption. Venezuela does not need new enabling legislation to facilitate arbitrary decisions and abuse of power, but on the contrary, "said the specialist.

"A urges Venezuela to monitor compliance with the laws that already exist to control those who have the power in their hands. Because what we call corruption is nothing but abuse of power. And there are good reasons for Parliament and the Executive Justice-not-who have the power to investigate and punish acts of corruption. The last institution from which one would expect a 'fight against corruption' is the Executive "emphasizes Zilla.

"The government and his cabinet are in constant exercise of power. In other words, the executive is not the body that must be controlled, but must be controlled because it is the most likely to fall into the temptation to abuse their power. Sure there may be corruption in Parliament, as has been seen in Brazil, but if that's the case, then it is important to have independent institutions: one solid and Justice Ombudsman credible, "adds the expert of the SWP.  Henrique Capriles, former presidential candidate and leader of the Venezuelan opposition. Henrique Capriles, former presidential candidate and leader of the Venezuelan opposition.

Calculation? Pre-election?

"Adopt an enabling law for a president fight corruption is like taking a remedy knowing that it will be worse than the disease. This measure goes against the logic of control and limitation of power, which is what actually reduces the sources of corruption. Furthermore, it is contradictory, to say the least, that a party of government wants to start a campaign against corruption after devoting to erode the separation of powers and ensure its hegemony in Parliament, "says Zilla.

In Venezuela it is feared that Maduro proceed with Chavez, who ruled by decree on several occasions and enacted laws were not always relevant to the purposes for which they had asked to be granted special powers. A MUD not reassured by the fact that, at this moment, does not enjoy the support Maduro parliamentary enjoyed in life "Commander": to give the green light to an enabling law, Mature needs 99 lawmakers-three-fifths of Parliament - the approval. Currently, the PSUV has 98 assembly members only.

The former presidential candidate and opposition leader Henrique Capriles, has spoken openly about the risk that a change MUD deputy main and, once enacted, the enabling law is used to imprison him and outlaw his party, Primero Justicia, before the holding of municipal elections, scheduled for December 8. So far, two members of PJ and an official of the government of Miranda near Capriles have been accused of corruption, but the charges could start raining on prominent figures.

A play "business"

Although the administration of justice in the South American country still leaves much to be desired, Chávez promised "tough" and proposed to increase penalties for corruption of five or ten to thirty years in prison. Nikolaus Werz, Venezuelan happen connoisseur and expert in comparative politics at the University of Rostock, describes as "skilled" Maduro's decision to set a north to his presidency. And, so far, his government program lacked a recognizable address.

"Venezuela's economic situation is not good, but that's just one of the many troubles that the country has. What Maduro is doing is to choose one of the issues of greatest concern to the population, administrative corruption is second in importance, according to some polls, and try to convince the public that need special powers to solve. That puts the Venezuelan opposition under pressure because who will demonstrate against the fight against corruption? "Said Werz. 

"However, it can be assumed that Maduro has ulterior motives when he asks for approval of an enabling law to provide these special powers. Whereas Chavez were in leadership positions who had been the subject of allegations of corruption, it is paradoxical to some extent, that the PSUV is now the flagship of a crusade against this scourge and to put on the look to public servants engaged in opposition, "says the professor of Rostock.

If Maduro she receives special powers to combat corruption, can the PSUV end up being a victim of his own campaign? Werz does not. In their eyes, the Venezuelan ruling could emerge unscathed from the investigations. "Chavista leader’s blindarían successfully against charges. As example will suffice: the official who acts more illegal enrichment is attributed strongman Chavez second and never tested anything against him, "said the expert, referring to the president of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello.