Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed an order calling the constitutional assembly.

After having signed the order on Monday, Maduro pointed out that it must be implemented immediately. He also cited the articles 347, 348 and 349 of the Venezuelan constitution, which, from his point of view, provide the president with powers to call the assembly.

“I created a broad presidential commission with opened doors for a big sovereign and constructive dialogue with whole Venezuela,” Maduro said.

The opposition immediately rejected the idea because the body drafting the new charter would not be the result of a popular election but rather be composed of workers and farmers.

Maduro’s announcement, to thousands of supporters in Caracas marking May Day, came as security forces sprayed tear gas and water cannon at anti-government demonstrators elsewhere in the capital.

The opposition slammed the tactic as a “coup d’etat” and urged protesters to “block the streets” from Tuesday. It said it was organizing a “mega protest” for Wednesday.

“People, into the streets! You must disobey such lunacy!” opposition leader Henrique Capriles said on Twitter.

Source: Agencies