Venezuela faces test after Chavez death, Hollande

Venezuela faces a “test of its democracy and stability” after the death of Hugo Chavez, French President François Hollande said Wednesday, praising the country’s late leader’s desire to “fight for justice”. French politicians of left and right have paid tribute to Chavez after his death Tuesday.

AFP

Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, "has profoundly marked his country's history", Hollande said in a statement.

"The late president expressed, while his temperament and the positions he took were not shared by everyone, an undeniable wish to fight for justice and development," the statement continued.

"I am sure that Venezuela will overcome this test of its democracy and stability,” Hollande added.

Chavez died at the age of 58, following a two-year fight against cancer.

He remained popular up to his death, winning support from the Venezuelan poor, who benefited from social programmes funded by the nationalised oil industry, but opposition from much of the middle and upper classes.

A staunch opponent of US “imperialism” at home and the floor of the UN general assembly, where he once famously called then-president George W Bush “the devil”, he survived a coup attempt in 2002.

Vice-President Nicolas Maduro will assume the presidency until an election is held within 30 days.
 

Other French reactions to his death included:

• Justice Minister Christiane Taubira declared her “friendship and respect for the Venezuelan people who are declaring their hearts broken and expressing their fear of a determined return of injustices and exclusion”;
• Left Front leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who visited Venezuela several times, said that there were “many prejudices against Chavez in Europe” end declared his “Bolivarian revolution … a source of inspiration”;
• Former interior minister Jean-Pierre Chévènement hailed a “generous man, motivated by a sincere faith in humanity and an ardent desire for social justice”;
• Right-wing former prime minster Alain Juppé recognised that Chavez “knew hos to speak to his people”, was a “passionate anti-American and anti-capitalist” and an “authoritarian democrat”;
• Another right-wing former prime minister, François Fillon, called Chavez “truculent and provocative”, judging that Venezuela has “regressed on the economic and democratic plane” and hoped that it will now follow the example of countries like Brazil, “where there are leaders who have really made democracy progress”.