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Ecuador
At stake: President
Background
Ecuador became fully independent in 1830, after leaving the Republic of the Great Colombia, which also encompassed Colombia, Panama and Venezuela. In the 1940s, the country waged a war with Peru over the province of El Oro, and prospered later due to the growth in banana trade.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Ecuador promulgated two different constitutions, withstood two military governments and the return of former president José María Velasco. In the 1980s, the Ecuadorian economy suffered greatly due to a drop in oil prices.
Over the past decade, three presidents have been ousted. Abdalá Bucaram—who called himself "the madman" and often sang during campaign rallies—was elected in 1996. Six months after taking office, Bucaram was declared "mentally incapable" and deposed by the National Congress. He left Ecuador and took up residence in Panama.
Jamil Mahuad was overthrown after 18 months on the job in a January 2000 coup orchestrated by Lucio Gutiérrez, army officers and Indian groups. Mahuad had implemented the U.S. dollar as the national currency. He was accused of freezing savings deposits, but never faced any charges. Gustavo Noboa ruled Ecuador from 2000 to 2003, and was subject to an investigation regarding the improper use of $126 million U.S. in bonds, originally earmarked to aid the country's state-administered banks.
In 2002, Gutiérrez became a presidential candidate, campaigning on a tough anti-corruption agenda. The former general was elected in November 2002, garnering 58.7 per cent of the vote in a run-off over Álvaro Noboa.
In the early days of his presidency, Gutiérrez lost the support of the Confederation of Indian Nations (CONAIE) and faced an investigation into purported illegal contributions by Mexico's Workers Party (PT) to his campaign fund. Ecuador is home to 4 million Indians, who make up about a third of the country's population.
In December 2004, the National Congress dismissed 27 of the country's 31 Supreme Court justices. Gutiérrez had accused some judges of favouring political opponents who sought to impeach him. The new tribunal threw out pending charges of corruption and mishandling of funds against former presidents Bucaram and Noboa.
Public protests intensified following the Supreme Court's decision. In mid-April 2005, Gutiérrez instituted a 24-hour state of emergency. On Apr. 20, the National Congress voted to oust the head of state and replace him with vice-president Alfredo Palacio.
Palacio—a cardiologist—had previously acted as Ecuador's minister of health and is not directly affiliated with any political party. In 2005, Ecuador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) suspended Gutiérrez from holding any political office for two years. The former president is currently awaiting a decision on a legal challenge, to see if his name can be featured in the 2006 ballot.
Palacio repeatedly called for a plebiscite on constitutional reform, claiming the country's political system requires an overhaul to become more stable, but the legislative branch never supported his idea.
2006 Presidential Election
The list of prospective presidential candidates includes former vice-president León Roldós of the Ethical and Democratic Network (RED), Álvaro Noboa of the Institutional Renewal Party of National Action (PRIAN), Congress vice-president Cynthia Viteri of the Social Christian Party (PSC), former economy minister Rafael Correa of Alliance Country (AP), Marco Proaño Maya of the Movement for Democratic Vindication (MRD), and Gilmar Gutiérrez of the Patriotic Society Party (PSP)—the brother of former president Lucio Gutiérrez.
In June, during a visit to Japan, Roldós expressed dismay at the current political situation in Latin America, saying, "I don't think we should be in a position to choose between (Venezuelan president Hugo) Chávez and (U.S. president George W.) Bush."
A June poll by Informe Confidencial placed Roldós in first place with 25 per cent, followed by Noboa with 15 per cent, and Viteri with 13 per cent.
On Jul. 8, Noboa announced that he would not seek the presidency. On Jul. 15, indigenous leader Luis Macas launched his candidacy with the backing of the Confederation of Indian Nations (CONAIE). Macas has vowed to establish a constituent assembly if he wins the election.
For the first time ever, Ecuadorians who reside abroad will be allowed to cast ballots. Roldós campaign coordinator José Franco Piedra said the former vice-president will "be very mindful" of these voters, adding, "His administration will endeavour to create jobs in Ecuador, in order to reduce the level of migration that we currently have."
Noboa, who had withdrawn from the race for in July, registered his candidacy on Aug. 15. The PRIAN member explained his rationale, saying, "The two traditional parties were going to get into the second round, so I decided to take the risk." In all, 11 candidates will appear on the ballot.
On Aug. 22, both Roldós and Viteri said they would seek a free trade agreement with the U.S. if elected. They also agreed on renegotiating the country's foreign debt, but acknowledged they would not overturn the dollarization of Ecuador's economy, which began in 2000.
Among the two frontrunners, Viteri is seen by international investors as the most market-friendly candidate. In her interview with Dow Jones, Viteri declared, "Amid the chaos that Ecuador is going through, Guayaquil is one of the few cities in Latin America that is projecting itself as a center for growth, thanks to the joint work between the municipality and private enterprise. That is the basic concept of Social Christian ideology that encourages competition and the free market."
On Aug. 25, Roldós vowed to call a nationwide referendum on Jan. 16, 2007, if he is elected president, to review whether political reforms are required in Ecuador. Roldós explained his rationale, saying, "Whatever the people decide will be put in the hands of the National Congress, and if 90 days go by without approval, we will have a constituent assembly."
On Aug. 29, Viteri disagreed with the proposal made by Roldós to enact a new constitution, saying, "This is not about the law itself, but about who is implementing it. This depends on the will of the president. During the Bucaram government we had a public consultation, and it led nowhere."
In September, Correa's campaign team began to distribute a DVD in Guayaquil. In the video, the AP candidate vows to eradicate poverty, hunger and exploitation, and do away with the "corrupt oligarchy" of Ecuador.
On Sept. 4, Roldós said he intended to lead a "sanitary revolution," adding, "Ecuadorians require clean water and efficient sewage systems, as the foundation for the country's development."
On Sept. 19, Roldós discussed his views on foreign policy, saying, "In international affairs, we want to have a sovereign policy, independent of others. I don't think I have to say who I prefer among (Venezuelan president) Hugo Chávez or (Peruvian president) Alan García. We are for strengthening the Andean Community of Nations (CAN)."
A mid-September poll by Cedatos/Gallup placed Roldós as the frontrunner with 20 per cent, followed by Correa with 19 per cent, Viteri with 13 per cent, and Noboa with 10 per cent.
On Sept. 18, Roldós expressed concern about Correa's recent surge, saying, "This is a candidate with fascist and intolerant practices." Correa, like Roldós, has voiced his wish to establish a constituent assembly if he becomes president.
On Sept. 23, former Ecuadorian president León Febres Cordero questioned Correa's credentials, saying, "It is obvious that he is receiving money from Cuba and Venezuela." Earlier this month, Correa had accused Febres Cordero of conspiring to "commit an electoral fraud" with current defence minister Marcelo Delgado.
On Sept. 25, Correa said he would not extend the U.S. military's use of an air base in Ecuador, saying, "A symbol of sovereignty is to not have foreign soldiers on national soil." Correal also complained of a double standard when it comes to international leaders, declaring, "If I am a friend of (Hugo) Chávez, 'What a mistake!' If I were a friend of George Bush, they would have elected me man of the year."
Correa also ruled out any sudden changes to the dollarization of Ecuador's economy, which began in 2000, adding, "I would be opposed to keeping the policy going indefinitely, because one of the symbols of a country's sovereignty is its currency."
Also on Sept. 25, Correa, Roldós and Viteri took part in a televised debate. Viteri vowed to renegotiate the free trade agreement with the United States, Roldós promised "no surprises" in the budget, and Correa said he would maintain "existing subsidies."
Polls released in late September by Informe Confidencial, Market and Cedatos/Gallup placed Correa as the new frontrunner.
On Oct. 3, AP spokesman Nicolás Issa Obando confirmed that Correa would call for the formation of a national constituent assembly if he becomes president, saying, "He has told me the people will be consulted, and if they want a constituent assembly, he will assemble it."
Also on Oct. 3, the Organization of American States (OAS) observer mission issued a statement, claiming the Ecuadorian campaign "has had a discourse where candidates place confrontation and accusation above discussion and collective reflection on the national problems."
On Oct. 5, the four main candidates participated in a televised debate. Correa reiterated that he would not negotiate a free trade deal with the United States. Roldós vowed to "eliminate the scar of corruption." Noboa said he would not foster diplomacy with Venezuela or Cuba, adding, "I'm not a hypocrite." Viteri said voters could choose between "responsibility or more violence and more chaos."
A poll released by Cedatos/Gallup in early October placed Correa as the frontrunner with 37 per cent.
Voting took place on Oct. 15. Preliminary results with 70 per cent of all votes tallied placed Álvaro Noboa of the Institutional Renewal Party of National Action (PRIAN) in first place with roughly 27 per cent, followed by Rafael Correa of Alliance Country (AP) just short of 23 per cent.
Since no presidential contender received 50 per cent of all cast ballots in the first round, and the first place finisher did not reach the 40 per cent mark while holding a 10-point advantage over the closest rival, a run-off was scheduled for Nov. 26.
Noboa expressed satisfaction with the outcome, declaring, "The people have just delivered the biggest whipping to a friend of terrorists, a friend of Cuba." Correa said the vote had been fraudulent, adding, "We are the victims of the political mafia. They are trying to steal our victory."
On Oct. 20, Roldós—who finished fourth in the first round—discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "I am not endorsing Noboa and I question Correa's behaviour, but I think we have to try to save democracy because with Noboa as president we could have economic and political stability, albeit after six months.
On Oct. 27, former president Gutiérrez said his Patriotic Society Party (PSP) has not decided which of the two politicians to support, declaring, "Our condition would be to ask either of them to say if Palacio's government is real, because we seek an Ecuador where there are no more coups, where vice-presidents cannot think about betraying their president."
Polls released in late October and early November by Cedatos/Gallup, Informe Confidencial and Consultar placed Noboa as the frontrunner.
On Nov. 1, Noboa discussed his foreign policy proposals, saying, "I do not intent to seek the authorization to govern at Venezuela's embassy, at Cuba's embassy or at the United States embassy."
On Nov. 7, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez questioned the fairness of Ecuador's democratic process and criticized Noboa, declaring, "Here's a man who was in fourth place, Ecuador's richest man, the king of banana plantations, who exploits workers, who exploits children by putting them to work, and he suddenly finishes in first place in the first round."
On Nov. 14, Noboa suggested that Chávez is actively involved in Correa's campaign, declaring, "My rival has taken off his mask of communist, and receives backing from Chávez. Both Chávez and Correa are holding hands."
Correa claimed Noboa has abused the system in his banana export business, adding, "He keeps exploiting small producers, without paying the official price."
On Nov. 20, Correa questioned Ecuador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), declaring, "This body is dominated by the Social Christian Party (PSC) and Álvaro Noboa. These people are shameless, and have already stolen 400,000 votes in our favour during the first round. They have no moral superiority to be the guarantors of this election."
A poll by Informe Confidencial cited by Goldman Sachs suggested a tight race, with Noboa at 52 per cent, but more than 20 per cent of total respondents still undecided. A survey by Cedatos-Gallup also gave Noboa a four-point edge.
Run-off voting took place on Nov. 26. Final results placed Correa ahead with 56.67 per cent, followed by Noboa with 43.33 per cent. Correa's political coordinator Gustavo Larrea expressed satisfaction, declaring, "This is a triumph of the citizens, and it is Ecuadorians who deserve to be congratulated."
On Nov. 28, Correa announced his economic proposals, saying, "We'll put a tax on foreign speculation. Yes, foreign speculation of all shapes and forms must stop, including capital flight. (...) I want (Ecuadorian banks) to bring money back and set up a system of credits, like the banking system should do, and start a common fund."
Correa was sworn in on Jan. 15, 2007. In his inauguration speech, Correa expressed his support for changing existing legislation, declaring, "The historical moment of the nation and the whole continent demands a new constitution that prepares the country for the 21st century."
Political Players
President: Rafael Correa - AP
Vice-president: Lenin Moreno - AP
The president and vice-president are elected, on the same ticket, to a four-year term by popular vote.
Legislative Branch: The Congreso Nacional (National Congress) has 100 members, elected to four-year term in multi-seat provincial constituencies.
Results of Last Election:
President - Oct. 15 and Nov. 26, 2006
Oct. 15 | Nov. 26 | |
Rafael Correa - | 22.90% | 56.67% |
Álvaro Noboa - Institutional | 26.63% | 43.33% |
Gilmar Gutiérrez - | 17.59% | -- |
León Roldós - | 14.91% | -- |
Cynthia Viteri - | 9.62% | -- |
Luis Macas - | 2.18% | -- |
Fernando Rosero - | 2.01% | -- |
Marco Proaño Maya - | 1.44% | -- |
Luis Villacís - | 1.30% | -- |
Jaime Damerval - | 0.47% | -- |
Marcelo Larrea Cabrera - | 0.43% | -- |
Lenin Torres - Revolutionary | 0.28% | -- |
Carlos Sagnay de la Bastida - | 0.24% | -- |
National Congress - Oct. 15 2006
Vote% | Seats | |
Institutional Renewal Party of National Action (PRIAN) | 27.8% | 28 |
Patriotic Society Party (PSP) | 18.6% | 23 |
Social Christian Party (PSC) | 15.3% | 13 |
Ethical and Democratic Network (RED) | 10.6% | 13 |
Ecuadorian Roldosist Party (PRE) | 7.7% | 6 |
Pluri-National Pachakutik United | 3.8% | 6 |
Christian Democratic Union (DUDC) | 2.6% | 5 |
Popular Democratic Movement (MPD) | 4.0% | 3 |
Citizens Movement New Country (MCNP) | 0.6% | 1 |
Regional Action for Equality (ARE) | 0.4% | 1 |
Overseas voters seat | -- | 1 |