One should not assume that every student movement currently mobilized against the chavista agenda is automatically associated with an opposition party. Many of the students that we interviewed in our recent YouTube series were adamantly insistent on the fact that they supported any opposition party, and were at times hostile to the perception that various parties were taking advantage of the enthusiasm and buzz they had created around their cause for greater social inclusion. Here David Smolansky, one of the most well known leaders from UCAB, comments on what more the student movement needs to see from opposition parties to bridge this gap.
Student leader requests "clearer proposals" from opposition parties
David Smolansky considers that Chávez's opponents "have a chance" to win a majority of seats in the National Assembly elections
According to the student opposition leader and representative at the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB) the political bloc that differs from the Venezuelan government must present in 2010 "clearer and direct proposals" to the people. They must also design a stronger and structured platform. (...) In doing so, the opposition would have a golden opportunity to win a majority of seats in the National Assembly. It all depends on its organization," said Smolansky in an interview with Notitarde, a Venezuelan newspaper.
"The main purpose of dissenting legislators is to promote decentralization and press for the independence of powers. They should appoint a new Supreme Tribunal of Justice, a new National Electoral Council, a new Ombudsman, etc."
In his opinion, this will be possible only if the opposition manages to get 2/3 of the Parliament, provided that "the opposition makes proposals instead of focusing on criticizing President Hugo Chávez."
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