June 03, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Jun. 3, 2003 - A plebiscite that will define the political future of Venezuela is widely supported by the public, according to a poll by Consultores 21. 75 per cent of respondents support the vote to assess the presidency of Hugo Chávez.

(CPOD) Jun. 3, 2003 - A plebiscite that will define the political future of Venezuela is widely supported by the public, according to a poll by Consultores 21. 75 per cent of respondents support the vote to assess the presidency of Hugo Chávez.

The Venezuelan constitution allows opposition parties to hold a referendum halfway through a presidential term. Chávez's tenure has been marred by controversy and strained relations with the United States. The president visited Saddam Hussein in 2000, and has been a constant critic of Washington's foreign policy. The U.S. did not immediately condemn the 48-hour coup that briefly toppled Chávez in April 2002.

Opposition parties staged a general strike between December 2002 and February 2003, in a bid to force Chávez's resignation. The government then established several measures that have proven unsuccessful to control inflation. The South American country's unemployment rate grew to 20.7 per cent this year.

For the referendum to take place, the signatures of 20 per cent of all voters in the electoral list—about 2.4 million people—must be collected.

Polling Data

Do you support the idea of holding a referendum regarding president Hugo Chávez?

Yes	75%
No	14%

Source: Consultores 21
Methodology: Interviews to 1,500 Venezuelan adults, conducted from May 12 to May 23, 2003. Margin of error is 3 per cent.