Venezuela has inaugurated its new legislative superbody that’s expected to rewrite the constitution and give vast new powers to the ruling Socialist Party.<br /><br />The controversial assembly’s first act of business was electing former Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, a close ally to President Nicolas Maduro, to lead the body.<br /><br />The 545 delegates were sworn in just yards from the chamber where the opposition-controlled National Assembly meets. <br /><br />Sunday’s election received worldwide condemnation for undermining democratic freedoms.<br /><br />Opposition leaders Antonio Ledezma and Leopoldo Lopez had urged Venezuelans to protest against the body.<br /><br />Shortly before the inauguration they were once again placed under house arrest after being jailed on tuesday.<br />
