By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador’s National Assembly has passed a constitutional reform to do away with presidential term limits. The move faced widespread criticism throughout the country, especially from members of the opposition. The move is the latest in a pattern of Latin American leaders abolishing term limits – which started with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. More recently, Nicaragua has constitutionally abolished term limits, while Bolivia is currently considering it.
The Opposition views the move as a threat to democracy because incumbent presidential candidates typically have an easy time getting re-elected. In Quito, protesters gathered outside the National Assembly building. Armed with sticks and rocks, they blocked major intersections with burning tires.
Correra announced that he would not be running for re-election when his term expires in 2017 on November 18, just hours before his party announced that it would back constitutional reforms to eliminate term limits. Correra’s current term will expire in 2017.
At the last minute, lawmakers added language holding off the implementation of the reform until May 24, 2017 – after the next president of Ecuador will be selected. The effect of the modification is that Correra will not be able to run for reelection as the term limits will still be in place at that time.
However, it is thought that after taking a “break,” Correra will most likely run for election again in 2021, at such time he will be able to continuously seek re-election following the expiration of that term.
Analysts have called his decision to step back for a term a “shrewd political move” – as Ecuador currently faces a number of economic issues. Ecuador has had to cut back on spending and increase taxes in recent months due to a fall in oil prices.
Other constitutional measures passed during the vote included the declaration of communications as a public service, the removal of collective bargaining for public employees, and putting the military in charge of domestic security.
For more information, please see:
Daily Mail – Ecuador lawmakers vote to end presidential term limit – 3 December 2015
Herald-Whig – Protesters clash with Ecuador cops ahead of term limit vote – 3 December 2015
New York Times – Ecuador Lawmakers Vote to End Presidential Term Limit – 3 December 2015
TeleSur – Constitutional Amendments Approved in Ecuador – 3 December 2015
TeleSur – Ecuador’s Opposition Responds with Violence – 3 December 2015
TeleSur – UPDATE: Ecuador Lawmakers Debate Constitutional Reforms – 3 December 2015
