MADRID, (MILLAT ONLINE/APP/AFP): Spanish Prime Minister Mariano
Rajoy warned Friday that democracy could break down in Venezuela,
joining other international leaders in condemning the country’s
Supreme Court seizing power from the opposition-led legislature.
The court’s move tightened socialist President Nicolas
Maduro’s grip after more than a year in which he has been locked
in a political struggle with the centre-right opposition.
“If the separation of powers breaks down, democracy breaks
down,” Rajoy warned in a tweet.
“For freedom, democracy and the rule of law in
Venezuela.”
In a decision announced late Wednesday, Venezuela’s Supreme
Court — whose judges have staunchly backed Maduro — said it would
directly assume parliamentary powers, accusing the National Assembly
of being in contempt of court.
The ruling strips Maduro’s opponents in the legislature of
what little grip they had over a key pillar of government.
Hugo Chavez’s successor now holds all state powers — the
executive, legislature, judiciary and army.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday also stripped parliamentary
immunity from lawmakers in the assembly.