RE-ELECTION OF HUGO CHAVEZ

Early day motion 582, tabled 16 October 2012 by Grahame Morris (Labour). Signed by 27 members.

That this House welcomes the re-election of Hugo Chavez as President of Venezuela with 55 per cent of votes cast and with a record number of votes; congratulates the Venezuelan people on achieving the highest election turnout in their history with 81 per cent voting in a free and fair election; notes that during the campaign former United States President Jimmy Carter described Venezuela's election process as the best in the world and that this was the fifteenth internationally observed and certified free and fair election since Hugo Chavez first came to office in 1999; further welcomes the Venezuelan opposition's acceptance of the result along with the endorsement of governments across Latin America and Europe; and believes that the social progress underway in Venezuela including its record investment in public services, free healthcare and education provided for all andthe halving of extreme poverty offers encouragement for all those seeking to advance social justice across the world.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1.