The country is entering a period of electoral transition after the death cross. An unprecedented situation with gray areas, especially in the control of the Constitutional Court regarding laws passed by the executive power. Instead of limiting himself to confirming formalities, as when he approved the impeachment, he intends to apply the right of veto. This made it a small National Assembly instead of a dissolved one.

President Guillermo Lasso did the right thing by not running for re-election because he did not have the number to pass to the second round and to leave the fight for power to his opponents. He is facilitating a truce in order to have the basic conditions of governance in place for the remaining six months, although he will face resistance from the bureaucratic apparatus as the election calendar progresses.

The elections put the CNE to the test

A countdown semester to consolidate the legacy that allows him to run again in 2025. Interestingly, at his weakest moment, the decision to die on the cross has restored some political capital. He surprised his enemies by taking a step they thought he would not dare to take. Now, if he wants to rise from his own ashes, he will have to impose a rhythm on his administration that he has not achieved in two years, in order to solve a minimum of outstanding issues.

What is certain is that it will go from one transitional government to another, probably without much benefit in terms of consolidating state policies that require medium- and long-term projection.

Seven presidential candidates have accepted their candidacy for the August 20 election

The fundamental problem is that after 44 years, Ecuadorian democracy has not yet matured, exposed to constant power struggles in which the executive and legislature try to discredit each other. Whoever wins the presidential election must prepare, because those who lost will rally again to take him down at any cost. Spaces for dialogue, when opened, are just a mirage. The proof of this is that in almost half a century, a government of national unity has never been formed.

What is certain is that they will go from one transitional government to another… without much benefit…

The proliferation of presidential candidacies that reflect the desire for figurehead is intertwined with unbridled ambition that confuses and disappoints ordinary people, because it continues to be the same thing over and over again.

The tragedy of the recent floods in Esmeraldas has made poverty visible in a miserable way in the rural and urban marginal sectors, which is finally a harsh reality that transcends the ideologies and petty interests of those who seek power, not always motivated by noble goals. If a common thing that unites the parties is sought, it is presented there. And it should be sobering for a lot of candidates.

The Meeting Government will remain unfinished. His call for the inclusion of broad sections of society, as well as the implementation of a series of reforms within the stipulated period, failed. But he leaves plans that must be maintained as state policy by whoever takes over. For example: child malnutrition programs and credit lines for small entrepreneurs, as well as the Investment Plan, which remains a failed project. (OR)