Maduro asks support to enact economic emergency in Venezuela

Caracas - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on Monday to the National Assembly, the opposition majority, support to enact a "national economic emergency" and map out a plan to give breath to the country, severely affected by high inflation, recession and shortages of basic items.
In elections held in early December, the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Table (MUD) managed to break the hegemony maintained by Chavez for three parliamentary seats, as many analysts have classified as a vote of voter distrust due to the deteriorating economy.
"Venezuela needs an economic emergency plan activation and reactivation, the recasting of the economy," said Maduro at a meeting, televised, with members of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
The president added that for the development of such a plan should be decreed a "national emergency constitutional character," so that we can deal with the problems affecting the oil producing country, hit by the decline in product prices, low production and the huge foreign debt payments.
"This is one element that has claimed the homeland block (PSUV bench), and I hope that the National Assembly to give support and approve a constitutional emergency," Maduro added, without elaborating.
According to the Venezuelan constitution, it is possible to declare an economic emergency when the life of the country is being seriously affected.
In general, the measurement procedures is used to accelerate and focus public resources. Maduro also said that announce "within hours" a new cabinet of ministers for the economic area.
The new majority of Parliament opposition promised that one of his main focuses of action would be the country's economy, although it has also been said that without the Executive's support would have a limited role in relation to finance.
Despite the Central Bank of Venezuela have not released economic data of the country, experts agree that inflation exceeded 200 percent last year, and the economy contracted sharply. The new National Assembly takes office on Tuesday. (Eyanir Chinea Reporting)