And without audits cannot assess their impact

President of the opposition "tal cual", Teodoro Petkoff daily is seventy-four years, one of the political and intellectual of the Venezuela figures. Former guerrillero in the 1960s, he quickly took his distances with communism and was notably Minister of planning in the Government of Rafael Caldera. It is presented in these elections prior to withdraw for Manuel Rosales.

Critics of Hugo Chavez denounced an authoritarian drift. What do you think

Cannot set Chavez as a dictator. But his Government is very autocratic. This is the last of the "caudillos", in the long American tradition, the alpha and omega of any Venezuelan politics. It now has close control on society and on all the institutions of the country, including the military: a few months ago, a new military rank was established, that of Commander in Chief, intended to Chavez. In all countries of the world, the head of State is the Chief of the armed forces, although this is a political title. Here, it's different, it is as militarily and is now such that this Colonel retired is the uniform!

However, even if these elements make up a disturbing framework, cannot yet talk of dictatorship to the Cuban or the Pinochet. The exercise of this autocratic power is not dictatorial. But all the conditions are met so that it can become. Indeed, the anatomy of the Bolivarian revolution is democratic because it takes the forms elections, political parties, freedom of expression which survived more or less. But his physiology is more dubious: many journalists have been under pressure, the speech in their regard is brutal and aggressive; political parties are sprayed; the ownership of sport and culture is running; NGOs are under control; the school system is used to train the students to the revolutionary values; the autonomy of universities is threatened...

And then there is the Tascon list.

What is it

This list was released by Chavez MP Luis Tascon, with the complicity of the national electoral Council. This is the list of the 4 millions of Venezuelans who have signed for the recall referendum of 2004 (1). If you signed, you can no longer find work in the public sector because asked you your identity and seen as soon as you have signed. If you need administrative papers or if you are dealing with a Department for commercial or other operation, you are spurned. Many officials have lost their jobs because they had signed. This list is a McCarthyite instrument and fascist. Of course, since then, Chavez said that it was "buried". But it is false, it exists and is used to intimidate officials signatories who have escaped sanctions.

Hugo Chavez is "Communist", as claims by the opposition

I believe that it has rather the Cuban model. It is favourable to the mixed economy and let grow the "bolibourgeoisie" bourgeoisie Bolivarian, Editor's note born of corruption. If he invented something, it would be a kind of "light dictatorship": freedom of expression exists, newspapers can criticize the Government. But this impedes the nothing and this serves no purpose. This is possible due to the deep polarization of Venezuelan society. For half of the country, that the other half is a lie and vice versa. There is no debate, no controversy. It is a tragedy, because when the Government and the opposition does not talk, a country may not work.

Are you also severe Chavez social policy

The design of its social programs, even if it is not new, is good and many very poor people benefited. But this aid distribution was accompanied by corruption, waste and political discrimination. And, without audits, cannot assess their impact. In any event, they are not enough to combat poverty: it must implement structural policies to create jobs.

You are a man of the left and you support an opposition which also includes the center-right. Why

I myself am rallied, as much of the left, to the candidature of Manuel Rosales because he has a chance to win and that it is progressive. When the democratic space is reduced, the left and right must come together. I have not divorced from Stalin to got married with Chavez!