Venezuela’s opposition has sworn in three of its MPs suspended for alleged election fraud, in its first full session in control of congress.

The move defies a supreme court ruling and gives the opposition a two-thirds super-majority.

The supermajority gives the opposition extra powers such as removing judges from the top court.

The new speaker, Henry Ramos Allup, has also said that he would seek a government change within six months.

Mr Ramos Allup of the opposition MUD coalition was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new lawmakers on Tuesday.

Following a landslide win, the assembly is under the control of the opposition for the first time in almost 17 years.

He did not say how the change would be brought about but stressed it would be “constitutional”.

Under Venezuela’s constitution, the president can be removed from office by means of a recall referendum.

More radical members of the MUD opposition coalition have in the past few months called for such a referendum.

In a letter sent in November from the cell where he is being held after being found guilty of incitement of violence, opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez wrote: “We can’t wait for the presidential elections in 2019, political change in Venezuela has a date and it’s the first semester of 2016.”

Bron: BBC