GP Short Notes
GP Short Notes # 685, 28 May 2023
Ecuador: The National Assembly is dissolved by President Guillermo Lasso, resulting in "Muerte Cruza
Taffy Tonia
What happened?
On 17 May, Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly, ending impeachment proceedings against him. He instated ‘Muerte Cruzada’ means that he has the authority to rule by decree until new legislative and presidential elections are held. He said: "This is a democratic decision, not only because it is constitutional, but because it returns the power to the Ecuadorian people ... to decide their future in the next elections."Opposition politicians wanted to impeach Lasso over accusations of embezzlement related to a contract at state-owned oil transportation company, FLOPEC, and Amazonas Tankers. He said: “The impeachment process - the first against an Ecuadorian president in decades - is politically motivated and has sparked a grave crisis that has threatened democracy, the dissolution was necessary.”
What is the background?
First, Lasso’s intent to stay in power. President Lasso dissolved the legislature and resigned early to avoid his ouster. This was reminiscent of President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, who pursued a similar course earlier this year before being detained from office within hours. Lasso compelled the National Electoral Council to call for new legislative and presidential elections while being backed by important members of his administration.
Second, recent electoral setbacks for Lasso. Local elections in February were a major blow to President Guillermo Lasso. The Left won in the country’s main cities and provinces, including Guayaquil, which had been governed by the Right for the past 30 years. Lasso took advantage of the elections to launch a referendum on security, but more than 50 per cent of voters opposed his proposals. This was due to corruption, as he had been dragged down in a scandal over graft in state-owned companies.
What does it mean?
The dissolution of the National Assembly amid impeachment proceedings restricts the system of checks and balances and undermines political control, government accountability, and the rule of law. Guillermo Lasso can now govern for up to six months by decree; the NEC has scheduled 20 August 2023 for general elections.
Additionally, Guillermo Lasso has the support of the military, but a strong confederation of indigenous organizations has nearly paralyzed the nation with protests and has denounced his action. Ecuador is set for an unstable course.
