The newest president for life?

I guess this is how you go from what his supporters would call a maverick reformer to a dictator. If Chavez has the support of congress, why not just let them rubber stamp his reforms? Just like Bush did for the six years prior to the last election; then you retain a nominal democracy.

In its latest draft, the law would allow Chavez to dictate measures for 18 months in 11 broad areas, from the "economic and social sphere" to the "transformation of state institutions."

Some may want to wait and see if he gives up his new power in 18 months, but this doesn’t look like a positive development.

To me, this move backs his critics in the US who will insist that the jury is in, and Chavez is just another dictator, now off his meds.