Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly and called for new elections. On Wednesday, he signed an executive decree a day after Parliament began impeachment proceedings for alleged corruption.
“I have signed Executive Decree 741 for the purpose of dissolving the National Assembly and requesting the National Electoral Council (CNE) to hold elections,” the president announced in a message this morning.
“Ecuadorians and Ecuadorians: this is the best decision to deliver a constitutional solution to the political crisis and internal turmoil that Ecuador is enduring and return the power to the Ecuadorian people to decide their future in the next elections,” he explained.
In his message to the nation, Lasso said that the National Assembly seeks to destabilize the government, democracy and the state. He stated that he would rule by decree for six months “to respond to the political crisis that engulfed Ecuador”.
I have signed Executive Decree 741 with the aim of dissolving the National Assembly and requesting the CNE to call elections.
Lasso invoked Article 148 of the Ecuadorian Constitution, which establishes that “due to serious political crisis and internal commotion,” the President of the Republic may dissolve the National Assembly for other reasons. On this Wednesday, the mandate of the MLAs ended automatically.
That article also stipulates that “within a maximum period of seven days of the publication of the dissolution decree, the National Electoral Council shall hold legislative and presidential elections for the remainder of the respective term on the same date.”
“We are more united than ever. Vice President Alfredo Borrero, the ministers, we all continue to work so that Ecuador can restore its peace. The country does not stop,” Lasso said on social media more than half an hour after the publication of the decree. Said on the network.
“Public services operate normally. The Armed Forces and the National Police continue with their daily work to combat crime and terrorism. The private sector has the opportunity to carry out its activities and continue to contribute to the growth and development of the country.” All are guaranteed.”
