This Thursday morning, Daniel Noboa Azín was sworn in as President of Ecuador in the National Assembly Hall.

In his first words as president, he was conciliatory, but firmer than usual, and he emphasized youth as the main feature of the new government.

What should President Daniel Noboa prioritize and what can he do in the rest of 2023? That’s what our columnists say

Several of our columnists gave us their first reactions to what the president said:

Gustavo Cortez Galecio, analyst and consultant

In a little more than eight minutes, the millennial president, in a much more energetic and precise tone than the one he showed us during the campaign, made it clear that he entered office as a free man and that he would not allow himself to be involved in outdated revenge schemes. Perhaps some of us remain eager to hear more, but it is clear that he intends to speak with his actions. And he called for urgent attention to job creation as a cornerstone of the fight against violence. Concise, perhaps to the point of scandal, according to tradition, but with a good tone and few direct messages. Another one of those remote control messages: Youth (shown by the young president) is strength! Hopefully.

Saudia Levoyer, analyst

President Daniel Noboa’s speech tried to draw a before and after in politics. To that extent, he highlighted his youth, his will and decision to do things differently. On at least three occasions he said that he could not be involved in the political visions that prevailed, those of the division and fragmentation of Ecuador.

He also tried to present a legislative agreement as an addition to the alliance parties to his project.

He suggested safety and work as directions of action. However, there is no information on how it will work on them.

It was expected that he would give more elements in his speech about what his management would be like, but that did not happen. We will have to wait and see what he will do, and thus know whether he really marks a new direction in political work.

Pablo Lucio Paredes, political and economic analyst

He gave me the impression that he was respectful by giving a short, unpoetic speech that sometimes moves people but doesn’t really mean anything. It was pragmatic. He also didn’t say anything about what he planned to do, which he was supposed to say even in a few minutes.

In reality, what stays with me is something I’ve always thought, that in Ecuador we have a great tendency to say no to everything, no to change… we rarely say yes, yes, let’s do this, that… and little said Noboa, who not with anti, but with pro in various things for the benefit of the country. That seems positive to me. This is perhaps the path that he opens for something, for better political relations, changes that can be made, to have the courage to face the changes. It is a good vision of the country, we will see later.

Jorge G. Alvear Macías, analyst

It was a speech with a new, fresh, direct style that was not tedious.

He offered to reduce violence with labor resources; He said he was determined to break the cycle of revenge plots and conflicts because his constituents expressed that when they elected him. He is aware that many did not believe in his chances to be president. He thanks everyone and respects those who did not vote for him. He will invest his heart, which he has invested in all matters of his private life, to hold power. Ask for support from different countries to solve common problems. He warned those who want to trap them in the old schemes that they are wrong because they do not understand the need for change. He called on all social sectors to unite in the difficult task that needs to be undertaken in order to face serious economic and social problems. He offered optimism and enthusiasm.

Miguel Hernández Terán, constitutionalist

President Nobo conveyed valuable messages to society, without any demagoguery. It can be said that it was an ideal speech: it was short, it did not offend anyone, it called for work. As for the administration, he had a very good position: he demanded clear and measurable goals from his ministers. Otherwise, he was very friendly towards youth and hope. Noboa reached all who heard him. He proclaimed himself a person without prejudices and did not neglect family gratitude. He condemned hatred and showed a lot of openness. In short, he left us with a very good image. We would all like for the situation in the country to improve significantly at the end of his mandate, for migration caused by violence to disappear, for the happiness index to increase significantly, for us to live better and in peace.

Gilda Macías Carmigniani, analyst

The cheerfulness with which he vowed to defend Ecuador as the new President of the Republic preceded the tone with which Daniel Noboa delivered his speech. As is his style, he was quick and sharp, wasting no time in protracted applause for each appointee, also showing the pragmatism with which he will carry out his role until 2025.

He emphasized such pragmatism by pointing out that he is a free man of action, who does not stand for ideologies and therefore does not want to waste time on political disputes and old revenges. Nor with rigid schemes, since he believes in inclusion and diversity; hence the formation of his cabinet.

As a young man, he pointed out that this does not mean naivety, but strength in the face of challenges, and called on young people who trusted him to be brave and join his proposal to reduce violence, create jobs and improve habits. do. big changes. He seems willing to do that, in his own way.

The mention of his cabinet and the bloc of members of the assembly, in relation to the request for planning with clear objectives that can be measured in their progress and achievement of results, also illustrates his experience in the administrative field and the management ability that he was able to demonstrate during his period. government, predicting that there are many challenges and few days to achieve the new Ecuador.

The invitation to the representatives of other countries to go with each other and fight together improves the possibility of establishing cordial international relations.

León Roldós, former Vice President of the Republic

Short, respectful, sober and coherent speeches in the words of Daniel Noboa, President of the Republic, and Henry Kronfle, President of the National Assembly, but without the precision the country wants.

What matters will be decisions and actions, and how they are implemented. Ecuador does not want persecution, but neither does impunity.

Nila Velázquez, journalist

In his short speech, President Noboa Azín was clear, direct and specific. The idea of ​​the need for change was one of the approaches, he called not to repeat the policies of the past and seek different results. And for that we don’t have to be afraid of changes, on the contrary, we have to unite in order to achieve them, he emphasized. He assessed that without it, it will not be possible to solve health, education and security, the daily needs of the majority of the population, who have no opportunities for progress and a dignified life.

At first glance, the fundamental ideas that underpinned his approach were obvious: change, community, work and thinking about the country above all. He said it confidently and with emphasis. It remains to be seen whether his call for change will have the necessary reception to achieve this.

Mauricio Gándara Gallegos, analyst

Speech with the sobriety of the Saxons. What the citizens will remember the most is the emphasis that he is a young man and that his team in the Government is also young. We wish them much success because that would be the success of the country. However, the even younger president, Juan José Flores (29), asked the then older man, Vicente Rocafuerte, to be his successor, although he kept command of the army for himself. They later clashed and Rocafuerte commanded the opposition that overthrew Flores. It is also worth noting that the young president at the level of the Assembly teamed up with two older people from RK and BO. I think the combination of youth and experience is good. This is surely what Dr. José María Velasco Ibarra thought, in his fifth presidential term, when he supported me to be deputy at 26 years old and general secretary of administration at 28 years old.

There will be setbacks for the young team, but the country hopes that they will be successful in this type of transitional government; So the world understood it as a transitional period and that’s why only one president, the Colombian one, attended the delivery of the order.

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