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makinmoola2

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Chavez names new Venezuela planning minister

posted on Feb 27, 2009 11:08AM

Chavez names new Venezuela planning minister

Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:02pm EST

CARACAS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday named leftist economist Jorge Giordani as the OPEC nation's planning minister, heralding a reshuffle in the self-styled socialist leader's cabinet.

Chavez frequently changes his ministers, overhauling his cabinet in 2007 at the start of a nationalization drive and again in 2008 after losing a constitutional referendum.

Giordani has served off and on as planning minister for most of Chavez's decade in power, though his influence over day-to-day economic policy has usually been overshadowed by the more powerful position of finance minister.

"The night before last I was talking to Dr. Jorge Giordani and I have once again designated him as planning minister," Chavez said during a televised speech. "I'm going to make a number of changes in the government in the coming days."

Giordani has been a fierce defender of Chavez's economic policies that include heavy government spending on social programs and strict price controls to combat inflation. These positions have at times put him at odds with business leaders. (Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez, Writing by Brian Ellsworth, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)