Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will face a recall referendum on August 15th that could set the stage for an election for a new president within 30 days if Mr Chavez is defeated.
The date was a victory for the opposition, which feared delays that could lessen their chances of ousting Mr Chavez's left-wing government.
According to Venezuela's constitution, if Mr Chavez lost a recall held after August 19th , his vice president would take over until presidential elections in December 2006.
