Venezuela Supreme Court Asked to Sanction Right-Wing Lawmakers

Socialist lawmakers in Venezuela submitted a formal application to the country's Supreme Court Thursday over the swearing in of three right-wing legislators whose election victories were suspended, which the socialists describe as illegal and unconstitutional.

Three members of Venezuelan right-wing coalition MUD and one of the socialist alliance PSUV from the state of Amazonas were suspended after the Supreme Court ruled that allegations of vote-buying must be investigated.

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On the day of the first session of the new right-wing dominated assembly, the MUD coalition did not attempt to have their lawmakers sworn in. However, on Wednesday all 112 members elected to the National Assembly were sworn in as legislators.

The socialist bloc inside the assembly is seeking to have the leadership of the assembly sanctioned by the Supreme Court.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, socialist lawmaker Diosdado Cabello said the swearing in of the suspended lawmakers is provoking a clash between the judicial and legislative branches of government.

The PSUV has respected the court's decision and has not sought to have the suspended socialist lawmaker, Miguel Tadeo Rodriguez, take his seat.

According to PSUV lawmakers, decisions made by the National Assembly while the suspended deputies are seated will be void.

“They will not be able to send anything to be published in the Official Gazette, because it is totally void,” said Cabello.

That point of view was backed by former Supreme Court Justice Luis Martinez who told teleSUR that “the new leadership (of the assembly) can not disobey an order from the judiciary” and that as a result decisions taken by the assembly would be void.

Martinez suggested the MUD coalition submit an appeal regarding the suspension to the Supreme Court.