Political drama from Ecuador: why do legislators want to impeach President Lasso?

Ecuadorian opposition lawmakers and the president William Lasso – or his lawyer – will testify this week at impeachment hearings in which the former conservative banker could be censured and removed from office.

What is the president accused of?

Lassowho has an antagonistic relationship with legislators, is accused of political responsibility for an alleged embezzlement related to an oil transportation contract between the public company flopc and a private sector company.

Lasso He has denied the charges, noting that the trade agreement was signed in 2018, a few years before he took office as president in May 2021.

The opposition legislators argue that Lasso and Hernán Luque – the former president of the board of directors of the umbrella organization of the country’s public companies (EMCO), who is a fugitive – allowed the agreement to continue despite the fact that it benefited third parties to the detriment of the Ecuadorian State. .

What will happen next?

The hearings will continue this week, with constitutional lawyers and the accusing legislators testifying before the Oversight Commission of the National Assembly, which is conducting the trial, as well as the appearance of Lasso or his lawyer to conclude the process on Wednesday.

Johnny Estupiñanformer general manager of flopcexcused himself last week from testifying and instead submitted a written statement.

Estupiñán is a key witness for opposition lawmakers, who say the former manager claims to have warned Lasso about Luque’s alleged contractual irregularities, but received no response.

Once the testimonies have been completed, the Oversight Commission of the National Assembly will prepare a report indicating whether or not there is sufficient evidence to accuse Lasso.

If the report recommends impeachment, the proposal will go to a vote in the plenary session of the National Assembly, where Lasso does not have a majority.

Opponents of the president need to secure the votes of 92 of 137 legislators to censure and remove him.

Legislators from the former president’s Citizen Revolution party Rafael CorreaFierce opponents of Lasso, they have pledged to cast their 47 votes in favor of impeachment.

Can Lasso stop vacancy efforts?

According to the Ecuadorian Constitution, Lasso he can implement a measure known as ‘cross death’, calling elections for both his office and the National Assembly rather than face the final vote in impeachment.

Yeah Lasso choose this route, those elected would serve only until 2025, when elections would return to their regular schedule.

Although Lasso’s opponents have expressed confidence they have the votes to oust him, the Citizen Revolution party said on Twitter last week that “cross death” was the only response to the political crisis.

However, the president of the National Assembly, Virgilio Saquicela, an independent lawmaker, has said that calling for a cross death at this time would be “unconstitutional”.

What happens if Lasso is removed?

In case of being dismissed, Lasso would be replaced by his vice president Alfredo Borrero, according to the country’s Constitution.

Lawmakers could also recommend that Lasso face a criminal investigation before the Ecuadorian courts. ex-presidents like Beltwho has been convicted of corruption, and Lenin Moreno they are involved in lengthy legal cases.

Source: Reuters