Nicolás Maduro Challenges The Opposition To Gather Signatures To Revoke His Term In 2016

The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, said on Tuesday, October 29 that he is ready to face his political rivals in a revoking referendum of his term in 2016 and asked his followers to abandon "internal wars" to focus on December's elections.

In the company of his ministers, governors and official party candidates, Maduro headed a public act in which he highlighted he has already been elected by the Venezuelan majority and affirmed that he is ready to face a possible referendum to revoke his term.

"I've already measured myself in heroic circumstances and I passed that test (the Presidential election) and I will continue to pass any test to come. If the opposition wants me out, let them gather signatures for the revoking referendum in 2016 and we'll see each other at elections if they can manage that", said the President of Venezuela, reportedEl Nuevo Herald.

According to news agency Europa Press, during a meeting with high-standing members of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which will contend in the coming elections of December 8th, the President called for his followers to unite in "denouncing the trilogy of evil".

"Those responsible for the economic war are the owners of Fedecámras, Consecomercio and Venmcham", denounced the President, quoted by the news agency.

Next December 8th, Venezuela will elect mayors and council members for every municipality. President Maduro insisted on Tuesday that the results of the elections will favor "Chavism", whose victory, he says, "is already signed for".

In Venezuela, the 1999 Constitution determines that all popular election positions are revocable after half the term has been completed. The electoral institution of Venezuela is empowered to call for a referendum as long as 20 percent of authenticated signatures of the population registered to vote are presented.

According to El Nuevo Herald, this measure was applied for the first time during the term of the late Hugo Chávez on August 15, 2004. In said occasion, Chávez ratified his term with 59 percent of the votes in his favor.