Chavez gets ready for new powers

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is set to assume unbridled powers to remake society as the National Assembly prepares to grant him authority to enact sweeping measures by presidential decree.

The assembly, which is completely controlled by Chavez supporters, was meeting in a Caracas plaza to approve a so-called “enabling law” today that will give Chavez special powers for 18 months to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defence.