CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s congress, dominated by allies of President Chavez, gave initial approval yesterday to constitutional reforms that would allow him to run for re-election and possibly govern for decades to come. After about six hours of debate, National Assembly president Cilia Flores said Mr. Chavez’s proposed changes to the constitution, including the lifting of presidential term limits, received “majority approval.”

Ms. Flores did not say how many of the 167 lawmakers voted in favor of the reforms, saying only that they were approved with overwhelming support. Final approval is expected within two or three months, and the changes would have to be approved by voters in a referendum.

The National Assembly has been solidly pro-Chavez since the opposition boycotted a 2005 vote and had been expected to sign off on the changes proposed by Mr. Chavez in yesterday’s first reading. The reforms, if approved, would extend presidential terms from six to seven years and allow Mr. Chavez to run again in 2013. Government opponents have attacked the reforms, saying they will weaken democracy by allowing Mr. Chavez to become a lifelong leader like Fidel Castro.

Mr. Chavez, a former paratooper who was re-elected by a wide margin in December on promises to steer the country toward socialism, says the changes will give Venezuelans greater decision-making power and aid the transfer of dollars from Venezuela’s foreign reserves into social programs.