President of Venezuela

The President of Venezuela is the head of state of Venezuela and the chairman of the Venezuelan government. He is elected for 6 years and after a referendum on the Venezuelan constitution in 2009, he can stand for unlimited number of times. Before that, the president could only be re-elected once.

It is envisaged that the President will be sworn in by the National Assembly within 30 days of an election . Another option is for the President to be sworn in by the Supreme Court . The period is not limited in the constitution . However, it is unclear in legal circles whether this procedure would also be lawful. If the president dies or has not been sworn in, the constitution stipulates that the president of the National Assembly shall take over the president's business on an interim basis and organize new elections within 30 days. However, after the presidential election in Venezuela in 2012 , when Hugo Chávez did not appear at his inauguration and died, the President of the National Assembly was not installed on an interim basis, but Vice President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in. The Supreme Court has recognized this practice.

See also

• List of Presidents of Venezuela

Web links

• Official website of the Venezuelan President

Individual evidence

1. ↑ havez wins chance of fresh term. BBC News, February 16, 2009, accessed May 21, 2013 . 
2. ^ For the time being, no swearing-in of Chavez. In: Handelsblatt. Gabor Steingart, January 5, 2013, accessed May 21, 2013 . 
3. ↑ Nicolas Maduro sworn in as interim president. March 9, 2013, accessed May 21, 2013 .