President of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso dissolves Congress: “This is the best possible decision”

The president of Ecuador, William Lasso, dissolved the National Assembly (Congress) before the serious political crisis. Likewise, he affirmed that he will apply the “cross death” to call elections.

“It is not possible to move forward, solve the problems of Ecuadorian families, face the deep challenges that insecurity and terrorism submit to us with an Assembly that has as its political project the destabilization of the Government, democracy and the State”, Lasso argued at first.

The president pointed out that since the beginning of his administration, on four occasions they have tried to remove him from his post. Reason that would have generated political crises and protests.

“I have decided to apply article No. 148 of the Constitution that grants me the power to dissolve the National Assembly (…) I have requested the National Electoral Council to immediately call legislative and presidential elections for the rest of the respective periods. This is a democratic decision, not only because it is constitutional, but also because it returns to the Ecuadorian people the power to decide their future in the next elections. This is the best decision possible.” added.

The “cross death”

The president affirmed, before Ecuadorian television, that he will carry out the “cross death”, a legal figure that allows the president to dissolve the National Assembly and then call elections. The objective is to renew the Legislative and Executive Powers.

It should be noted that Lasso will be able to govern the South American country through emergency decrees or laws for six months, and it is the first time that a head of state convenes this law, which can be applied once in the first three years of management.

National Assembly and his trial

The measure was published one day after the National Assembly initiate a political trial against Guillermo Lasso for the alleged crime of embezzlement. Nonetheless, Lasso rejected the demands.

It should be noted that the majority of Congress is made up of the opposition and supporters of the former head of state, Rafael Correa.

Now, the electoral court must decide the date of the new elections, which must know the seven days after the dissolution.