Page:Constitution of the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela.djvu/54

56 :; native people and the territories they occupy; labor, Welfare and Social Security; animal and vegetable hygiene; Notarial and public record offices; banks and insurance; lotteries, racetracks and betting in general; organization and functioning of the organs of National Public Power and other organs and institutions at the national level; and all matters of national competence in general.


 * (33) Any other matters which the present Constitution may assign to National Public Power, or which by their nature or type come under its competence.

Article 157: The National Assembly, by a majority vote of its members, shall have the power to delegate to the States or Municipalities certain matters under national competence, in order to promote decentralization.

Article 158: Decentralization, as a national policy, must add depth to democracy, bring power closer to the people and creating optimum conditions both for the exercise of democracy and for the effective and efficient Fulfillment of government commitments.

Article 159: The States are politically equal and autonomous organs with full juridical personality, and are obligated to maintain the independence, sovereignty and integrity of the nation and to comply with and enforce the Constitution and the laws of the Republic.

Article 160: A Governor is in charge of the government and administration of each State. A Governor must be a Venezuelan over the age of 25 who is not a member of the clergy. The Governor shall be elected for a term of four years by a majority vote. The Governor can be re-elected to an additional term only immediately and only once.