Chávez Plans One Big Venezuela Leftist Party, Led by Him

President Hugo Chávez has begun forging a single Socialist party among his varied supporters, one of his recent efforts to create momentum for far-reaching changes to Venezuela’s political system that analysts say will effectively concentrate greater political power in his hands.

Mr. Chávez formally announced the plan for the single party, called the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, in a speech last month to supporters here. He reminded them of his 23-percentage-point margin of victory when he was re-elected last month to a six-year term.

“Those votes don’t belong to any party.” Mr. Chávez said. “They belong to Chávez and the people.”

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