Venezuelan leaders have finally rescheduled regional elections, but their timing clearly indicates they still intend to cling to power as long as possible. Tibisay Lucena, president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council, said May 23 that Venezuelan regional elections would take place Dec. 10, a year after they were initially scheduled. The Electoral Court has repeatedly delayed elections for fear that the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) would be decisively defeated. Lucena also said that the vote to elect members of the new constituent assembly , which will rewrite the Venezuelan constitution, would take place in late July. The Electoral Court is expected to hold a meeting May 25 to decide on a specific date and on other details for that vote.