The head of state, who faces a political trial for alleged embezzlement, ordered “the National Assembly to be dissolved due to a serious political crisis and internal commotion”, states the document released by the Presidency.
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In a country mired in violence linked to drug trafficking and popular discontent with the cost of living, Lasso asked the National Electoral Council (CNE) to call early general elections.
The Constitution establishes that within a maximum period of seven days after the publication of the dissolution decree in the Official Gazette, the electoral body will call legislative and presidential elections to complete the current four-year term.
“It is a democratic decision not only because it is constitutional, but because it gives the Ecuadorian people back the possibility of deciding,” said Lasso on national television.
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The president appeared before the National Assembly on Tuesday to defend himself against accusations of alleged embezzlement. According to the allegations, Lasso decided to continue a contract signed before his inauguration, despite reports that it was harmful to the State.
The contract for the transport of oil with the international group Amazonas Tanker caused losses of more than 6 million dollars (29,4 million reais, at current prices). The president was not prosecuted for any crime in ordinary justice and guaranteed that he filed a complaint with the Public Ministry in 2022 to investigate the case.
Until the new National Assembly takes office, Lasso will be able to govern by issuing decrees of economic urgency, but with the prior favorable opinion of the Constitutional Court.
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This is the first time that a president has applied the so-called “cross death”, which can be exercised only once during the first three years of his term. Parliament tried to dismiss Lasso in June last year, amid violent indigenous protests against the high cost of living, but was 12 votes short of removing him from power.
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