Article 148 of the Constitution states that “The President of the Republic may dissolve the National Assembly when, in his opinion, it has assumed functions that do not suit it according to the constitution, before the Constitutional Court receives a positive opinion on it, or if it repeatedly and unjustifiably obstructs the implementation of the National Development Plan or because of a serious political crisis and internal unrest.” Guillermo Lasso used that constitutional authority and dissolved the Assembly, which was met with relief by a large part of the citizenry who, as the numbers show, did not approve of the legislative body’s actions.

One consequence of this fact is that agility is expected to translate into action some of the executive proposals that are considered key to achieving change. There are so many fields in which we have to work, that an air of hope passes through the country, but we must be clear that the Constitution does not give the president a magic wand to solve problems. The same Article 148 says: “Until the appointment of the National Assembly, the President of the Republic may, after a positive decision by the Constitutional Court, issue decrees-laws on economic urgency, which may be approved or repealed by the legislative body.”

Of course, the president will retain all the powers appropriate to his position. Nor should we be discouraged because their decree laws can only be of economic urgency, because, in reality, much that needs to be done in the country depends on having the necessary economic resources. Economic growth is necessary because it creates jobs and generates income that will improve and increase care in social areas, such as health, education, housing; better equip and prepare those who fight crime and organized crime; use advances in science and technology to modernize the country.

Next Monday, it was announced, the government will send two decrees to the Constitutional Court, as they need the consent of that body to enter into force.

We must also take into account that when the Assembly has new members, it will be able to approve or repeal the decrees of the economic emergency law. This forces citizens to think carefully about their vote for parliamentarians, because what they did would be useless if people were elected who, due to ignorance or little civic education, think about personal, group or party interests, and not about the state. and the marginalized majorities they claim to represent.

The president made a decision that allows Ecuador to seek a way out. It is up to the citizens to make a decision to choose the future parliamentarians well so that this exit is for the benefit of the country and all its inhabitants.

We have an opportunity to correct ourselves. The government will have to rethink a little, because as the president himself said, there were mistakes. Citizens must recognize that we are responsible for our voice and that we must become active subjects of our history. (OR)