Julio Borges, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, attends a session of the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

CARACAS, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice on Monday said opposition legislators do not have the power to impeach the president, in accordance with the country's constitution.

The remarks came after the National Assembly, where the opposition holds the majority of seats, on Monday approved a resolution declaring that President Nicolas Maduro had "abandoned his post" and failed to perform the basic duties of governing the country.

In a statement, the court ordered lawmakers to "abstain from continuing impeachment proceedings against the president of the country, or any other type of measure that is beyond its constitutional powers."

The court also urged the opposition to pursue dialogue as a means of resolving differences.

Despite the questionable legality of the resolution, the assembly on Monday went ahead to hold a voting and the resolution was approved with 106 votes in favor.

"Today we have seen a ridiculous and irrational act in politics," Hector Rodriguez, head of the ruling Socialist Party bloc in congress, told reporters later.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L F) shakes hands with Vice President Tareck El Aissami in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Presidential Press/AVN)

"No Venezuelan, no matter how irrational his opposition to the government, can claim the president is failing to carry out his duties," said Rodriguez.

"We may like or dislike (his performance), but we will assess that at the end of 2018 when we hold presidential elections," he added.

Rodriguez said the vote was a "futile measure that is not going to have any legal or political effect beyond that of a failed attempted coup."

Congress adopted new leadership last week widely seen as more moderate, but the return to the political trial suggests the opposition will continue to follow the same playbook as last year.

The opposition in 2016 spent months seeking a recall referendum on Maduro's rule, but that effort was effectively scuttled by electoral authorities that the opposition accused of supporting the ruling Socialist Party.

While a recall referendum is still legally possible, Tuesday marked the start of the last two years of Maduro's term, and Venezuela's constitution says any successful recall vote after this point would result only in Maduro being replaced by his vice president without any new election.