Venezuela’s electoral authority has suspended the next phase of a recall referendum against unpopular President Nicolas Maduro.<br /><br /> It has sparked an outcry from the opposition, who have accused the Socialist government of dictatorial tactics.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Why do they want a referendum?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader elected three years ago to replace late leader Hugo Chavez, has seen his popularity tumble in line with the country’s recession.<br /><br /> Maduro’s opponents had vowed to push for a recall referendum against him this year.<br /><br /> If successful, it would trigger fresh presidential elections that polls show Maduro would lose.<br /><br /> The opposition needed a referendum this year because, under Venezuela’s constitutional rules, should Maduro lose a plebiscite next year, his vice president would take over.<br /><br /> There would be no fresh election, denying the opposition their opportunity to take power after 17 years of socialism.<br /><br /> Maduro’s rivals warn that, by preventing a democratic solution to the crisis, the government is stoking the chances of unrest in the country.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What do the authorities say?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The election board had already said there would be no such vote this year. It appeared to finalise the decision with its statement on Thursday night.<br /><br /> Citing court orders, it said it was suspending next week’s drive to collect around four million signatures and trigger the vote.<br /><br /> Earlier on Thursday, Venezuelan governing party officials said several regional courts had voided an earlier signature drive by the opposition, due to allegations of fraud.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What is the background?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The oil-rich country is mired in a brutal economic crisis leading to food shortages and triple-digit inflation.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What they are saying<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> “We have a government of thieves, using power to maintain itself,” – opposition lawmaker Jorge Milan says the Democratic Unity coalition is planning its response.<br /><br /> “We hope that justice will be served and that those responsible for this swindle will be detained,” – Socialist Party No.2 Diosdado Cabello.<br /><br /> “The government is pushing a very dangerous scenario in which the crisis worsens,” – opposition leader and two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said on Twitter.<br />
