QUITO: In the midst of a looming impeachment vote, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso has invoked a constitutional clause to dissolve the country’s National Assembly, a move that carries significant political implications and may lead to protests in an already delicate security situation.
President Lasso, who assumed office in 2021, triggered a procedure known as “mutual death” by which the opposition-led National Assembly is dissolved, and snap elections will be called, as stated in a decree published on the presidency’s website.
The embattled president faces accusations of interfering in the negotiation of a shipping contract related to the export of oil products. However, Lasso has vehemently denied all allegations, branding them as politically motivated.
Political confrontation in Ecuador
Lasso justified his decision for snap elections as the best way to pave the path for hope, declaring, “This is a new moment for optimism. Let’s build a better future for Ecuador,” during an address to the nation on Wednesday.
He argued that his decision aimed to put an end to the political confrontation in the country, emphasizing that the crisis had already cost Ecuador millions of dollars. Lasso maintained that the move was not only constitutional but also allowed the people to decide their future democratically.
Opposition lawmaker Virgilio Saquicela was re-elected as the president of the Assembly on Sunday, securing 96 votes, while Lasso’s coalition holds 25 seats in the legislative chamber. This scenario provides the opposition with a chance to gather enough votes to approve the impeachment.
With the implementation of “muerte cruzada” (mutual death), Lasso’s government will remain in office until a new general election takes place in approximately six months.
Calls for Lasso’s resignation have intensified in recent months as Ecuador’s opposition and influential federation of Indigenous organizations have accused him of negligence in addressing the country’s cost-of-living crisis and high levels of criminal violence.
The application of “muerte cruzada” is expected to cause instability, according to Will Freeman, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He expressed that Lasso, being unpopular, may not benefit from the perception that he is bypassing checks and balances to accomplish his goals.
