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.