The political crisis is accelerating in Ecuador. Threatened by impeachment proceedings for corruption, President Guillermo Lasso dissolved parliament on Wednesday, leading to early elections from which the opposition could however emerge strengthened.

The conservative head of state, targeted by an impeachment trial that opened Tuesday before Parliament where the left is in the majority, decided to "dissolve the National Assembly because of the serious political crisis and internal unrest," according to a statement released by his services.

Legislative elections and an upcoming presidential election

Unpopular, Guillermo Lasso is accused by the opposition of embezzlement in the context of a public contract for the transport of crude oil. He is accused of having been aware of this contract detrimental to Ecuador and of not having intervened to put an end to it as soon as he took office in May 2021. However, the 67-year-old former banker is not being prosecuted in connection with the case. At the opening of his impeachment trial, he pleaded before the deputies his "total, obvious and indisputable innocence".

In the wake of the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament, Guillermo Lasso asked the National Electoral Council to convene early legislative and presidential elections, as provided for in the Constitution. On the other hand, this is the first time that an Ecuadorian head of state has resorted to this right of dissolution, which can only be used once during the first three years of his mandate.

Rafael Correa speaks of a "coup d'état"

Former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017), who leads the opposition despite being sentenced to eight years in prison in absentia for corruption and lives in exile in Belgium, called the decision "illegal" and a "coup". An alliance of left-wing organizations called for "rights and freedoms" to be defended in the streets.

On Wednesday, the parliament building was guarded by military and police, while around the presidential palace in the historic center of the capital Quito, men in uniform were more numerous than usual. The army and police warned that the constitution must "be fully respected by all citizens."

This dissolution could, however, benefit the opposition. "The right-wing movement is weakened by a government that has less than 15% credibility," said political scientist Santiago Cahuasqui of the private SEK University. "The movements of the center and the left could have more possibilities and perspectives." And even if the left does not get the presidency, "one thing is certain: its deputies, who are currently 49 out of 137, will win more seats," constitutionalist Rafael Oyarte said Tuesday.

  • World
  • Ecuador
  • Political crisis
  • Dissolution
  • Corruption