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The opening session of the additional annual period 2021-2022 was held this Tuesday, January 5th, with 147 deputies from the legitimate National Assembly (NA). The Board of Directors was ratified, composed by the deputies: Juan Guaidó, as its president and who also occupies the Office of the Director of the Republic of Venezuela; Juan Pablo Guanipa, first vice president; Carlos Berrizbeitia, second vice-presidency; and as Secretary Wilfredo Pérez Peñalver.
Legal basis
The procedure for holding the Session was based on articles 33 and 11 of the Rules of the Interior and Debates of the National Assembly (NA) and articles 12, 13, and 14 of the Statute that governs the Transition to Democracy to Restore the Validity of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which state:
Article 12:
“By virtue of the provisions of the previous article, the constitutional continuity of the National Legislative Power will be exercised by the National Assembly elected on December 6th, 2015, which will function through the Delegate Commission until free, fair and verifiable presidential and parliamentary elections are held in the year 2021, an exceptional political event occurs in 2021, or even for an additional annual parliamentary period from January 5th, 2021 on.”
Article 13:
“To ensure the constitutional continuity of the National Legislative Power, the Delegate Commission will be chaired by the Board of Directors of the National Assembly and will be composed as established in article 195 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
Article 14:
“To ensure the constitutional continuity of the National Legislative Power, the powers of the Delegate Commission will be those established in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, those of legal referral based on article 196, numeral 7, of the Constitution, as well as the 17 competences contained in this Statute.”
Process
Given the above, President Juan Guaidó began the additional period 2021-2022 and appointed deputy María Gabriela Hernández to act as accidental secretary, who certified the quorum and immediately the director of debate authorized the opening of the Session. Consecutively, were readf the Minutes of the previous Session of the Delegate Commission held last Sunday, January 3rd.
Next, Deputy Juan Pablo Guanipa, announced the ratification of the Board of Directors of the unicameral Chamber and stressed that the National Assembly elected in 2015 is the only legitimate Legislative Power recognized by Venezuelans and by the international community and its operation will be in force until free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections are held.
He asked Venezuelans not to lose hope in the country and to support the National Assembly of the Democratic Alternative to make Venezuela free, democratic and productive.
In his speech Guanipa praised the work of the parliamentarians who, despite having been persecuted, exiled, held in prison, and some gave their lives, were not intimidated and faced tyranny without fear.
The deputy Luis Florido, who was nominated as Secretary continued. Luis Pérez Peñalver came later, when his appointment was approved. He was sworn in electronically by the director of debates.
The Session closed with the National Anthem sung by the parliamentarians.
