Venezuela President's approval drops to 9-month lowAugust 16, 2016 - 10:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's approval rating fell to a nine-month low of 21.2 percent in July amid calls from government critics for a recall referendum next year, according to a local pollster Datanalisis, Reuters reports. The poll of 1,000 people, conducted July 13-21, also showed more than three-quarters of those surveyed disapproved of Maduro's tenure, while 93.6 percent saw the country's situation negatively. Only 22.1 percent believed that Maduro should finish his term. Maduro's three-year tenure has been marked by a severe deterioration in the country's economy, with daily lootings and food riots due to shortages of the most basic goods. Triple-digit inflation, a collapse of the local currency on the black market and severe recession have added to the country's woes. The 53-year-old president blames the country's crisis on an economic war waged by the opposition and Washington. On Friday, Maduro raised the country's minimum wage 50 percent, making it equal to $23 a month at the black market exchange rate. Thousands of Venezuelans streamed across the border with Colombia on the weekend to buy to buy food and other basics as the two countries' borders were officially reopened after being closed by Venezuela a year ago. The timing of the referendum over the president is critical because recalling Maduro in 2016 will trigger fresh elections, while a successful vote to remove him after Jan. 10, 2017 would mean the vice president would takeover as head of state for the remainder of the current term through early 2019. Maduro's approval ratings hit their nadir in October at 21.1 percent, though they rose to 33.1 percent in February, according to Datanalisis figures. The poll had a margin of error of 3.04 percent. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |