Venezuelan elections campaign diary

By Roberto Jorquera
Caracas, Nov 12,2008

PCV calls for nationalisation of financial sector
During its weekly press conference the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) called on the government to immediately nationalise the financial sector. Oscar Figuera, General Secretary of the PCV said that the executive of the government ``should immediately nationalise the Venezuelan financial sector and not wait until the banks collapse''. Figuera argued that these measures must be taken understanding that the ``financial sector is the most reactionary arm of capitalism and central to the problems that the world is facing''.

However, Figuera also argued that this measure should be taken with the involvement of workers in the sector. ``This measure can not just be a change in management but one in which the working class assumes a protagonist role in the administration of the financial sector'', Figuera said.

In conclusion Figuera argued, ``the current crisis of the dominant capitalist system demands a profound transformation in the production system allowing for an advance in the construction of socialism''.

Chavez calls on opposition to accept the results
On November 10, speaking at a gathering of United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidates for Governors in Miraflores, Chavez said, ``it is still possible that we can win every Governors position''. With only 12 days to go to the elections for mayors and governors throughout Venezuela campaigning is well under way. PSUV posters and banners cover the walls throughout Venezuela. Street corners are occupied by PSUV election campaign stalls filled with information and campaign materials. VTV, the national Venezuelan television station, is broadcasting almost 24 hours a day information about the elections including interviews with candidates and explaining in detail what it would mean if the opposition where to win any of the governors positions.

Whilst addressing a meeting of PSUV candidates in the city of Ojeda in the state of Zulia, Chavez denounced the plan by the opposition in Zulia to not accept the election results if they where to loose the governorship of that state. ``The opposition is saying arguing that the elections will be filled with fraud''. If the opposition is to win anywhere in the country I will be the first to accept those results, said Chavez and added``On the other hand I call on the opposition to do the same''.

The President of the Bolivarian Students Federation, Carlos Sierra also spoke out against antidemocratic forces that are planning a coup. ``Anti-democratic sectors of the opposition are planning to not recognise the electoral results of November 23 and call for a destabilisation plot'', said Sierra. ``I have received a number of threats via phone, text and email''.

The movement by the name Tupamaros held a press conference on November 11 and also spoke out against the destabilisations plots that are floating around. A spokesperson for the Tupamaros, Hipolito Abreu said, ``we call on the revolutionary forces to be vigilant so that and destabilisation plots organised by the opposition and directed by North American imperialism can be confronted collectively''.

Workers demand justice
Ex workers of Coca Cola gathered outside the Presidential Palace Miraflores on November 11 demanding that Chavez meet with them. The ex Coca Cola workers have been demanding a better retirement payout for a number of years however management has refused to come to the table and negotiate with the ex workers. Hundreds blocked the main avenue leading up to Miraflores for the entire day. The workers where demanding that the national government enforce its one laws that have been passed forcing companies to contribute to workers retirement funds.

Similarly the Ministry of People's Power for Labour headed by Roberto Hernandez has also received a group of workers who work for commercial sectors that used to belong to PDVSA. Jose Bodas, a union representative said that they where arguing for these companies to pay up the increase in wages that was adopted on May 1 under the Presidential decree 982. The decree outlined that workers would receive a 15% pay rise if their wages was below BsF 500 and 10% for those workers that received no more then BsF 700. The union representative said that it is affecting some 40 thousand workers. Minister Hernandez said that he would respond as soon as possible.

Www.directaction.org.au