Ecuador president dissolves congress, bringing elections forward
President Guillermo Lasso put an end to impeachment proceedings against him by dissolving the opposition-led National Assembly, which had accused him of embezzlement.
The right-wing president, who has denied any wrongdoing, can govern for up to six months by decree under the South American country’s constitution. / Photo: Reuters Archive
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso has dissolved the National Assembly in a decree, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections, a day after he presented his defence in an impeachment process against him.
Lasso denies the accusation, saying his administration made changes to the contract signed years before he took office, in order to benefit the state, on advice from Ecuador's comptroller.
A majority of lawmakers backed a resolution saying Lasso allowed the corrupt contract to continue, even though a congressional oversight committee, which heard testimony from opposition lawmakers, officials and Lasso's lawyer said in its report it did not recommend impeachment.
Ninety-two votes from the 137-member legislature would have been needed to remove Lasso from office. The vote to continue the process received 88.
The country's constitution enshrines the so-called 'two-way death' - allowing Lasso to call elections for both his post and the assembly under certain circumstances, including if actions by the legislature are blocking the functioning of government.
Lasso invoked the 'two-way death' citing Ecuador's grave political crisis.
Lasso will now remain in office for up to six months, ruling by decree, while national electoral authorities set the date for the elections.
Ecuador's electoral court must decide on a date for new elections within seven days of the assembly's dissolution.
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