Ecuador’s Democracy Under Threat as President Noboa Considers Flouting Election Laws
(R) Former Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, (L) Actual president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa Photo: PL
January 2, 2025 Hour: 7:32 pm
Former President Rafael Correa has issued a stark warning, alleging that current President Daniel Noboa is setting the stage for a potential coup by refusing to take a legally mandated leave of absence to participate in the upcoming 2025 general election campaign.
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The controversy has sparked fierce debate, with legal experts raising serious concerns about the rule of law and democratic stability in Ecuador.
According to Ecuadorian law, any sitting president seeking reelection must step down temporarily and relinquish their duties to the Vice President during the official campaign period. However, Noboa’s political faction, Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN), has argued that his election was an exception due to the “muerte cruzada” (mutual dissolution of executive and legislative powers) which led to the 2023 snap elections and therefore, the President is not obligated to take leave of absence.
This interpretation, fiercely rejected by Correa and other critics, is seen as a blatant attempt to undermine the constitution and consolidate power.
“They are deceiving the people. How long will they continue to destroy the nation?” Correa exclaimed on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the media of trivializing a “real coup” by downplaying the violation of the Constitution and established laws. This move is viewed by Correa as a clear effort to circumvent the constitutional framework and undermine democratic process.
The law in question is the Article 93 of the Democracy Code, which mandates a leave of absence for those seeking re-election, an article that ADN claims does not apply to Noboa due to the unique circumstances of his election, triggered by the actions of former president Lasso. However, Article 113 of the Constitution makes it clear that public officials must take unpaid leave from the day they register their candidacy until the day after the elections, irrespective of specific situations.
The heart of the issue lies in the power vacuum that would be created if Noboa were to remain in office and campaign simultaneously, potentially using state resources and the power of his office for his electoral benefit. This would create an uneven playing field and erode the integrity of the electoral process.
The opposition maintains that the constitution explicitly states that the Vice President, Verónica Abad, would take over the presidential duties during the President’s absence. However, Noboa’s administration has publicly stated that handing over power to Vice President Abad would destabilize the nation, a thinly veiled excuse to hold onto power at any cost. It is worth noting the political differences between Noboa and Abad, with Noboa sending Abad to work as ambassador to Israel in an apparent attempt to sideline her since 2023.
Ecuadorian jurists are in agreement that a refusal to take the mandatory leave could expose Noboa to impeachment and potential removal from office. The situation is further complicated by the looming election campaign, scheduled to start on January 5th, 2025, increasing the possibility that Noboa could flout the law and deepen the constitutional crisis.
The refusal to adhere to democratic principles and the blatant disregard for the Constitution are seen by left-wing voices and legal experts as a dangerous sign for the future of Ecuadorian democracy. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Noboa and whether he chooses to abide by the rule of law or continues down the path of consolidating his power to the detriment of the nation.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: teleSURtv
