Chavez enacts new laws with iron fist ahead of polls

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CARACAS, Aug 9 (AFP): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has enacted an aggressive package of 26 laws increasing the state's power over the economy ahead of key regional elections.

Some of the laws claim to aim to fight food shortages, market speculation and inflation, scourges which remain in the South American country despite enormous profits from its oil industry in recent years.

Other laws, in a resumption of Chavez's drive to create a socialist state, significantly increase his power and resemble proposals included in a constitutional reform narrowly rejected by voters in a December referendum.