Ecuadors President Guillermo Lasso took the extraordinary step of dismissing the opposition-led National Assembly in reaction to facing impeachment proceedings over corruption charges. This unusual constitutional amendment gives the President the authority to govern by decree until new elections are held, ushering in a time of tremendous political instability in an already troubled country.Corruption charges against the PresidentEcuador, formerly thought to be a relatively stable country in the region, has recently seen a surge in violence and an alarming rise in homicide rates as a result of intensifying power battles among drug trafficking organisations competing for territory control. President Lasso was accused by opposition members of ignoring problems and corruption in a deal involving a state-run shipping corporation and an underperforming oil tanker company. The media first reported on these charges. Although the nations constitutional court upheld the Presidents corruption accusation, two bribery charges were dismissed. The congressional probe into the corruption charge is political rather than criminal in nature.The impeachment proceedings against President Lasso began last week but were put on hold when he dismissed Congress. The President fiercely refuted the allegations, claiming that the agreement in question was signed before he took office. President Lasso stated during the impeachment trial that the prosecutors had recognised a lack of evidence, emphasising the political nature of the investigation. He maintained that the goal was not only to save his presidency but also to ensure the integrity of democracy.Image: TwitterImage: TwitterA turbulent era of the presidencyThis was the oppositions second attempt to overthrow President Lasso since his swearing-in in 2021. Given the rising rates of crime, extortion, kidnappings, and robberies, civil society organisations had been increasingly suspicious of his leadership and had launched petitions calling for his dismissal. Drug cartels fighting for territory have established major control over Ecuadors prisons, culminating in prison riots and killings over the previous three years.President Lasso and Congress were locked in a tense stalemate, with MPs demanding impeachment and President Lasso threatening to dissolve Congress and order fresh elections. With President Lassos approval ratings plunging, often below 20%, he will rule by force until new elections are held. The national electoral commission has seven days under the Constitution to set an election date for presidential and legislature elections. When elected, the new President and National Assembly will serve until the conclusion of the current term in 2025.According to Arianna Tanca, an Ecuadorian political scientist, the dissolution of Congress gives some stability to the nation, allowing President Lasso to pass laws without suffering obstruction and enabling political parties to “reset.” It does, however, constitute an attack on the nations democratic framework. Will Freeman, a Council on Foreign Relations scholar for Latin America studies, stated that President Lassos attempt to govern by decree could work in his favour, despite his present unpopularity. Freeman hypothesised that if President Lasso could address the urgent issues of crime, hunger, and poverty quickly, his popularity may climb during his six-month administration by order. Yet, considering his track record, such efforts are unlikely to succeed.Human rights campaigners are concerned that President Lassos enlarged powers could lead to major abuses of rights, including the exploitation of terrorism laws against Indigenous organisations and other opposition groups.
