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Now, a leisure revolution

President Hugo Chavez has proposed slashing Venezuela’s working day to six hours to turn its socialist revolution into a paradise of leisure — with one exception.

Under a new draft constitution debated in congress this week, everyone will have more time for recreation and relaxation. Everyone, that is, except Mr. Chavez.

As part of the same package of changes, presidential term limits will be abolished, allowing Mr. Chavez, who seldom seems to sleep or take time off, to continue his hyperactivity for some time to come.

Critics say the two proposals are directly related: the six-hour proposal is a populist sweetener to ease the constitution’s passage in a December referendum which will give the President the right to stand for continuous re-election. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2007

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