Caracas, January 23 (RHC-teleSUR), -- Venezuelans were preparing to protest Saturday in support of President Nicolas Maduro's economic emergency decree.

Thousands were expected to march in Caracas and other major cities at around 11 a.m local time. Socialist legislator Diosdado Cabello called on Maduro's supporters to rally in every city square in the country.

The rallies came a day after right-wing legislators voted against Maduro's emergency measures. The measures lost by 107 votes to 54 in the National Assembly, which is dominated by the right-wing coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). MUD legislators accused Maduro of failing to provide solutions to the country's economic downturn.

Maduro hit back by accusing the MUD of voting for a “lose-lose” outcome.

The MUD has yet to present a cohesive plan for bolstering Venezuela's economy. Despite the onset of what Maduro has described as an “economic emergency,” MUD legislators have focused on seeking ways to remove the president from office.

Maduro's economic emergency decree would make resources from the 2015 financial year available, assigning extra funds to health, education, food, and housing; designing and implementing measures to prevent tax evasion; and giving the executive the “authorization to address the causes of the current situation.” 

The measure would also allow the administration special temporary powers to boost production and ensure access to key goods, including taking over private companies' resources, imposing currency controls and "other social, economic or political measures deemed fitting."