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Weekly Report - 18 May 2023 (WR-23-20)

Lasso disbands congress to avert impeachment

Ecuador was plunged into political uncertainty on 17 May when President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the national assembly to avoid impending impeachment. After months of brinkmanship, Lasso opted to activate an article in the constitution known as ‘muerte cruzada’, citing ‘a grave political crisis and internal commotion’. Somewhat ironically his announcement caused minimal commotion. A smattering of legislators challenged the constitutionality of his actions but there was no eruption of street protests and most political parties seem more intent on gearing up for fresh presidential and legislative elections which will now have to be held before the end of August. The most likely outcome of these is that Ecuador will lurch from the neoliberal right to the illiberal left.

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