The newly re-elected head of Venezuela's legislature said Hugo Chavez does not need to be sworn at the January 10 start of his next presidential term, DPA reported.
Chavez ally Diosdado Cabello said the president could continue his recuperation from cancer surgery indefinitely and insisted the oath of office was a formality that could be satisfied at any time with the Supreme Court.
Cabello began a second term as head of the National Assembly at the weekend and echoed statements by Vice President Nicolas Maduro that Chavez's absence due to illness would not disqualify him from office.
"We Chavistas will do what the people have instructed, they decided on October 7 that the leader of the revolution be president for another term and nobody will move us," Cabello said.
Chavez was re-elected to another six-year term in October. His United Socialist Party of Venezuela also dominates the legislature.
The 58-year-old president is reportedly in delicate condition in a Cuban hospital, suffering from respiratory infection after his fourth surgery for cancer in December.
Political opponents have argued that he must be sworn in January 10 or be required to step down and allow a new election.
Cabello would become acting chief executive in the event of the president's resignation, or death, until an election could be held and a new president installed in office.
But he and other members of the ruling party insisted that no changes were being contemplated.
"Chavez is the president of Venezuela, there is no other," said Information Minister Ernesto Villegas.
Maduro said the constitution does not specify when a president needs to take the oath of office before the Supreme Court.
"That means the president will continue in office, he has the express permission of the Assembly to be treated for his illness and he will be sworn in when he is able," the vice president said.
Cabello began a second term as head of the National Assembly at the weekend and echoed statements by Vice President Nicolas Maduro that Chavez's absence due to illness would not disqualify him from office.
"We Chavistas will do what the people have instructed, they decided on October 7 that the leader of the revolution be president for another term and nobody will move us," Cabello said.
Chavez was re-elected to another six-year term in October. His United Socialist Party of Venezuela also dominates the legislature.
The 58-year-old president is reportedly in delicate condition in a Cuban hospital, suffering from respiratory infection after his fourth surgery for cancer in December.
Political opponents have argued that he must be sworn in January 10 or be required to step down and allow a new election.
Cabello would become acting chief executive in the event of the president's resignation, or death, until an election could be held and a new president installed in office.
But he and other members of the ruling party insisted that no changes were being contemplated.
"Chavez is the president of Venezuela, there is no other," said Information Minister Ernesto Villegas.
Maduro said the constitution does not specify when a president needs to take the oath of office before the Supreme Court.
"That means the president will continue in office, he has the express permission of the Assembly to be treated for his illness and he will be sworn in when he is able," the vice president said.
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