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Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso opted this May 17 to use a mechanism of the Constitution known as ‘cross death’, which allows him to dissolve the Legislative and call new elections. This was one of the president’s options in the midst of the political trial that he was facing for alleged corruption, before a unicameral Assembly with an opposition majority that for the second time sought his dismissal.
President Guillermo Lasso ends the impeachment trial against him and directs Ecuador to early legislative and presidential elections.
Ecuador arrives at this stage after the president announced on May 17 that he is dissolving Parliament, making use of a mechanism of the Constitution before what was expected as a dismissal. Lasso had been facing a political trial the day before before the National Assembly, with an opposition majority, which aimed to remove him from office, marking a moment of extraordinary political turbulence.
Lasso presented his defense, but his arguments seemed to have little chance of prospering in front of the parliamentarians.
Given this scenario and according to Ecuadorian law, at any time the head of state can activate the Magna Carta mechanism known as ‘cross death’, which also allows him to rule by decree for up to six months, with the control of the Constitutional Court, but at the same time call general elections.
“I have decided to apply article 148 of the Republic that grants me the power to dissolve the National Assembly due to a serious political crisis and internal commotion, for which I have signed executive decree number 741. In addition, I have requested the National Electoral Council to immediately convoke to legislative and presidential elections for the rest of the respective periods”, announcedThe head of state gave an address.
Lasso maintained that it is “the best decision to give a constitutional solution to the crisis” and return to the Ecuadorian people the power to decide on their future at the polls, while the current government focuses “on working for the needs of families from the country”.
“This is not control, it is a constant obstruction that has generated a political crisis”
The head of state faced accusations from the opposition of course “embezzlement” or embezzlement of public funds for not acting after allegedly learning that some officials fraudulently awarded third parties various contracts from the state-owned company Flota Petrolera de Ecuador (Flopec).
However, the president rejects the accusations, assures that the contract was signed years before he took office and that during his Administration the corresponding changes were made to a process that would have been fraudulent.
In his speech this Wednesday, the president assured that the parliamentarians insisted on continuing with the process against him, despite the fact that they have been “unable to find evidence against me because there is nothing to find.” A situation that he attributed to an “unlimited” attack against his management.
“This is not control, it is a constant obstruction that has generated a serious political crisis and internal commotion that is reflected in the almost zero confidence of Ecuadorian society in the National Assembly,” he asserted.
The president of #Ecuador William #Lasso he signed the decree known as “cross death” and dissolved the National Assembly due to “serious political crisis and internal commotion”. Likewise, he called for legislative elections immediately. pic.twitter.com/iJoaZ5Yi8y
— FRANCE 24 Spanish (@France24_es) May 17, 2023
Since the beginning of his term, in May 2021 for a period of four years, Lasso has faced fierce legislative opposition that has frequently rejected his main government projects, which has blocked his administration.
Now, the National Electoral Council has seven days to call elections, which must be held within 90 days. Those elected will finish the terms of Lasso and the legislators he dismissed. Both the Executive and the Legislative had been elected to finish their term in May 2025.
“This is a democratic decision, not only because it is constitutional, but because it returns power to the Ecuadorian people (…) To decide their future in the next elections,” Lasso added in the address and indicated that the Government will issue laws for decree “without obstacles”.
The Armed Forces express their support for Lasso’s decision
Almost immediately, the head of the Joint Command of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, Nelson Proaño, issued a statement in which he indicated that both the military institution and the Police support the measure and urged the entire country to respect it.
“The decision of the constitutional president of the Republic to dissolve the National Assembly is based on article 145 of the Constitution of the Republic. Therefore, it is subject to a constitutional form and must be fully and completely respected by all citizens,” said the military high command.
Likewise, Proaño warned that the Public Force will not allow any outbreak of violence and that it will be ready to act in the event of any alteration to the democratic order.
“The country will not accept any attempt to alter the constitutional order through violence, to act against democracy. In this case, the Armed Forces and the National Police will act firmly in compliance with our constitutional mission to protect the life, rights and guarantees of Ecuadorians”, he stressed.
“We have no other interest than to protect the country and its citizens. That is why we call for the unity of Ecuadorians to maintain a climate of respect for the law, without confrontations, without violence, which will allow an Ecuador in peace, a country with freedom and dignity”, added the head of the Command Set of the Armed Forces of the nation
Meanwhile, the National Police is guarding the interior of the National Assembly, while the Armed Forces the exterior. At the moment, there are no disturbances.
With Reuters and local media
