President of Ecuador dissolves the National Assembly and ends impeachment

Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso, who was facing an imminent impeachment vote, activated an unprecedented constitutional clause to dissolve the legislature, invoking a procedure known as “cross death.” The measure dissolves the opposition-led National Assembly and calls early elections.

Lasso is accused of interfering in the negotiation of a maritime transport contract related to the export of petroleum products. The president has denied all the accusations and says they are politically motivated.

Guillermo Lasso, President of Ecuador, said: “All the efforts of the legislature are focused on destabilizing the government with an unfounded impeachment. Right now they are promoting an alleged crime of embezzlement by omission that does not exist in our legislation.

Lasso argued that his decision is the way to stop the political confrontation in the country. However, the move could spark protests in a country already facing a fragile security situation.

The Armed Forces guard the headquarters of the National Assembly and said they will abide by Lasso’s measure.

“I must point out that we are sure that the country will not accept any attempt to alter the constitutional order through violence to undermine democracy,” said Nelson Proaño Rodríguez, Head of the Joint Command of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces.

Lasso’s cabinet supports the presidential decision to call new elections in about six months. The opposition harshly condemned the measure, but will still abide by it.

Viviana Veloz, Legislator of the National Assembly, told the voice of america: “It is the Ecuadorian people who must decide democratically at the polls who they want to be their president of the republic and who they want their 137 legislators to be, because we also remember that not only is parliament dissolved, but also that Guillermo Lasso will leave the presidency within a period of four months.”

According to analysts, the dissolution of Congress provides temporary stability to the country, because it allows Lasso to pass laws without reaching an impasse and gives political parties the opportunity for a “reset.” But it also threatens to undermine the country’s democracy.