(08/14/10) -

Most Ecuadorians Still Content with Correa

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa maintains a stable level of popularity, according to a poll by Cedatos/Gallup. 53 per cent of respondents approve of Correa’s leadership, up one point since June.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa maintains a stable level of popularity, according to a poll by Cedatos/Gallup. 53 per cent of respondents approve of Correa’s leadership, up one point since June.

Correa, a former finance minister, ran for president as an independent leftist under the Alliance Country (AP) banner. In November 2006, Correa won a run-off with 56.69 per cent of the vote. He officially took over as Ecuador’s head of state in January 2007. Correa’s party nominated no candidates to the National Congress.

In September 2008, Ecuadorian voters ratified a new constitution in a nationwide referendum. The draft was approved by the pro-government majority in the Constituent Assembly. Under the terms of the new constitution, Ecuador held a presidential election in April 2009. Final results gave Correa 51.95 per cent of the vote. For the first time in 30 years, the Ecuadorian presidential election did not require a run-off.

Earlier this month, Ecuador’s government passed a new hydrocarbon law that will outline the re-negotiation of revenues with foreign oil and gas companies. On Jul. 26, Correa said oil companies would immediately begin to receive new contract drafts.

Alexis Mera, legal adviser to the president’s office, said that under the new regulations the State will have to earn "at least 25 per cent of all raw royalties" of oil companies.

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Rafael Correa’s performance as president?