We will have Guillermo Lasso in Carondelet until November. Whoever wins the very close election will be there until May 2025, and then whoever wins in 2025 will come (there is a re-election). And in the same way, the replacement of assembly members.

It is crucial for the country to know what they can do and what they will do to each other in the next 18 months? And we voters wonder which of the candidates can do it better… or less badly?

First, the question of insecurity and the economy of drugs is certainly key. I personally do not know how it is solved, but various topics are discussed: “closing” the northern border to make drug transit more complex and expensive, controlling the Galapagos from being a supply and traffic axis, technologies and decisions to avoid being prisons operations centers, constant raids in capital cities and more. A firm hand. And let’s not forget: a judiciary that does not immediately release criminals, realizing that many judges are vulnerable to family threats, for which there are also solutions to assess in other countries. A complex topic.

Two: health. At least supply hospitals and health centers with medicines and keep the equipment working. Let the child malnutrition programs continue. But above all, for people to feel that they are treated with dignity. It’s not that hard.

Three: road maintenance and construction. Some will be done by the state directly or by contracting private parties, and others must be concessions with tolls. Let’s remember that, for example, the road to the northwest of Quito had a toll booth ten years ago, when it was senselessly removed. For those who doubt: Aren’t concession roads better than others? … And continue with the slow but important process of the Quito-Guayaquil highway and something that makes me ashamed of myself as an Ecuadorian: the state of Machala-Guayaquil. It doesn’t seem that hard either.

It is essential to do what is useful and necessary within the framework of good budget management. It’s not that hard.

four. Continue with trade agreements. They will require legislative acceptance. And then implement appropriate measures, including reducing tariffs. The path seems favorable, but beware, some are against opening up to the world, will they undo what has been done? I hope not.

Five. Is there anything else that is reasonable and sane in such a short time?

And all this in an environment that is not advertised as good. The price of oil continues to fluctuate…although I still believe it will be less bad than some forecasts. Maybe oil production will get complicated because on August 20th there is a national consultation to find out if we stop some production in the Amazon (makes no sense, let’s vote against it, and make oil and mining responsible, yes, we can). There will be no more exceptional income (tax on citizens and companies) that the Treasury has been receiving for the past two years. It is essential to do what is useful and necessary within the framework of good budget management. It’s not that easy.

However, one should ask, in comparison, when such important reforms as work, social security, opening the financial system to external competition and the reform of the state, which requires more will than law, will take place? In these six months? In the meantime of 18 months? Or will it be for the new government in 2025? We hope as soon as possible. (OR)