Former socialist president Rafael Correa asked Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso on Saturday to call early elections, at a time when he is facing strong protests from indigenous people and the possibility that Congress may dismiss him at the request of Correismo.
“President Lasso, don’t be a coward. Call for early elections. I did it in 2009 and received the support of my peopleCorrea said in a video posted on his Twitter account.
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The Magna Carta empowers the president to dissolve the National Assembly for reasons such as “serious political crisis and internal commotion“, after which the Electoral Council must convene presidential and legislative elections to complete the current democratic period (until 2025).
The former socialist ruler (2007-2017) lives in Belgium since it left power and cannot participate in elections for having been sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for corruption.
Despite being out of the country, Correa leads the opposition to the right-wing Lassowho took office in May 2021 and is now facing demonstrations by indigenous people demanding a reduction in fuel prices, which They have been going on for thirteen days and have left six demonstrators dead and some 300 wounded, between civilians, police and military.
In addition, the Parliament -in which the opposition is dispersed but has a majority- is scheduled this afternoon to debate a Correismo’s request to dismiss Lasso by the “serious political crisis and internal commotion” that the country is experiencing.
the correismo, the main force in the Legislative, has 47 of the 137 seats and, according to the Constitution, 92 votes are required for removal.
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“Do you think you are going to be able to govern with blood and fire for three more years?” Belt in his message to Lasso, adding that “you are going to destroy your country, you are going to destroy yourself“.
“He has to leave now because of the brutal repression he has carried out against his own people,” Correa said, noting that Lasso must also leave power due to insecurity due to drug trafficking and corruption.
