2023-05-17 15:28:02
The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lassodissolved on Wednesday by decree the National Assemblyadvancing the legislative and presidential elections, one day following presenting his defense in a political trial once morest him.
Lasso denies allegations that he turned a blind eye to alleged embezzlement related to a contract at the state-owned oil transport company Floppyarguing that his administration made profitable changes to the agreement, which was signed years before he took office.
- Guillermo Lasso dissolves the National Assembly of Ecuador LIVE: last minute live
“I have signed Executive Decree 741, with the objective of dissolving the National Assembly and requesting the CNE to call elections. Ecuadorians and Ecuadorians: this is the best decision to give a constitutional solution to the political crisis and internal commotion that Ecuador is enduring and return to the Ecuadorian people the power to decide their future in the next elections,” he wrote. Lasso a Twitter.
Most legislators supported a resolution saying that Lasso allowed the disputed contract to continue, despite the fact that the Assembly Oversight Commission – which heard testimony from opposition legislators, officials and the attorney for Lasso– said in his report that he was not recommending impeachment.
The president invoked the “cross death” citing the serious political crisis and internal commotion of the Andean country.
“This is a democratic decision, not only because it is constitutional, but because it returns to the Ecuadorian people the power to decide their future in the next elections,” Lasso said in a televised speech.
LOOK: What is Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso accused of in the impeachment trial that seeks to remove him?
“Starting today, without blockades, the National Government will issue a series of decree laws that will comply with the mandate sovereignly expressed by you,” he added.
92 votes of the 137-member Legislature were needed to remove Lasso from office. The Assembly voted to continue the process last week.
The Constitution of the country enshrines the so-called ‘cross death’, which allows an Ecuadorian president to call elections for both his position and the National Assembly under certain circumstances, even if the actions of the Legislature block the functioning of the Government.
Lasso now he will remain in office, ruling by decree, while the national electoral authorities set the date of the elections.
He electoral court of Ecuador must decide the date of the new elections within seven days following the dissolution of the National Assembly.
Some legislators have said that any dissolution of the Assembly it would be unconstitutional and they would refuse to comply with it.
Those elected to power in snap elections would only serve until the regularly scheduled 2025 ones take place.
Legislators from the former president’s party Rafael Correahimself convicted of corruption, led the impeachment charge and pledged their 47 votes in favor of impeachment.
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