LIVE | Congress of Ecuador debates the impeachment of President Guillermo Lasso

The National Assembly (Parliament) of Ecuador resumed this Tuesday the debate that began last Saturday on the motion to dismiss the president William Lasso, promoted by assembly members related to former President Rafael Correa. The motion was presented under the cause contemplated in the Ecuadorian Constitution of “serious political crisis and internal commotion”, within the framework of the protests against the Government for the cost of living, led by the indigenous movement for sixteen days, which leave and six deceased, including a soldier.

This is the third plenary session of the National Assembly of Ecuador to debate the continuity of the conservative lassowho assumed the Presidency a little over a year ago, on May 24, 2021, after winning the presidential election candidate Andrés Arauz in the second round.

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The eventual dismissal of Lasso by the Assembly implies the so-called “crusader death”since it entails a call for early general elections with which the formation of the Legislative would also be renewed, where the opposition currently has a majority.

To dismiss the head of state, the favorable vote of two thirds of the chamber is required, equivalent to 92 of the 137 assembly members that make up the Ecuadorian Parliament.

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If the removal of the president is approved, the vice president would assume the presidency on an interim basis, while the National Electoral Council (CNE) would have a week to call early general elections, once the resolution of the Assembly is published.

In an interview with Efe on Sunday, the Minister of Government, Francisco Jiménez, was “convinced” that the Assembly will not gather enough votes to remove Lasso, since some opposition forces have expressed their rejection of the motion, such as the Democratic Left and the Social Christian Party.

The main political forces in favor of leaving lasso and of the call “cross death” are the benches of Union for Hope (Unes), akin to the former president Belt; and a sector of the indigenous movement Pachakutikpolitical arm of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie)main promoter of the protests against the Government.

The president of the National Assembly, Virgilio Saquicela, said this Tuesday that he hopes that the vote will take place today: “It will be the decision of the 137 assembly members who resolve at the end of today’s session, Tuesday,” he said. in statements to the press.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.