Ecuador’s Constitutional Court said Wednesday that impeachment hearings against conservative President Guillermo Lasso for alleged embezzlement, requested by a group of opposition lawmakers, can proceed.
The decision could make it more likely that Lasso will dissolve the National Assembly and call snap elections for both his office and lawmaker seats.
The Constitutional Court measure allowed the hearing on the alleged embezzlement accusations to proceed, but ruled against allowing another two related to the crime of concussion.
The Government assured that it respects the court’s ruling, although it said that it did not agree with the decision.
“This decision in no way validates the arguments raised by the legislature against the President,” Lasso’s press office said in a statement. “The inconsistencies in the arguments of this trial will not end our vision of serving every Ecuadorian.”
The approval of the court empowers the National Assembly to start the trial process and develop the hearings.
“This Court urges the institutions involved in the impeachment trial to always act within the canons provided for in the Constitution and the Rule of Law”, he said in a statement.
Fifty-nine opposition lawmakers formally requested impeachment in mid-March, accusing Lasso of being involved in alleged acts of corruption in public companies, which he has always denied.
Lawmakers earlier this month endorsed a report accusing Lasso of connections to possible crimes against state security and public administration, amid investigations by Ecuador’s attorney general’s office into alleged bribery at state companies.
Lawmakers also voted to declassify files related to corruption investigations in search of evidence to prop up the impeachment trial, but neither Lasso nor any of his relatives appeared in the documents.
In the 137-member Assembly, 92 votes are needed to censure or remove Lasso if the process reaches a final vote.
Opposition lawmakers, led by members of former President Rafael Correa’s party, have said they are confident they can win such support.
The Constitution of the country enshrines the so-called “death cross”, allowing Lasso to call elections for both his office and legislators.
Source: Reuters
Source: Gestion
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