CARACAS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday recognized the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) as the country's most powerful institution, vowing to abide by any decisions made by the new legislative body.
"As head of state, I subordinate myself to the powers of this constituent assembly," Maduro said in his first address at the assembly that was inaugurated six days ago.
"I have come to recognize your plenipotentiary, originative, sovereign and great powers to govern the fate of the republic," Maduro said.
The assertion was meant to set an example for other government institutions, specifically the opposition-controlled National Assembly who opposed the establishment of the ANC and refused to recognize its authority.
The right-wing opposition boycotted the July 30 elections of the constituent assembly, claiming it would only to strengthen the power of the ruling socialist party.
The 545-member assembly, which has the rights to amend the constitution and reorganize the government, issued a decree on Wednesday declaring its supreme power over all government branches.
Earlier in the day, Delcy Rodriguez, a former foreign affairs minister elected president of the ANC, said the assembly "aims to repair the malfunction" plaguing the country's governing system.
The ongoing power struggle between the two sides has led to months of violent confrontations that have left more than 100 people dead, including protesters, government supporters and security forces.
