Lasso could run again for the presidency of Ecuador, says his lawyer

The president of Ecuador, William Lassodissolved the National Assembly (Congress) in the face of the serious political crisis and will apply the “cross death” to call elections. What will happen in the coming months in the neighboring country?

Lasso’s lawyer, Pablo Encalada, explained that after the “cross death” was decreed, the president informed the National Electoral Council of the decision so that it, in turn, called new elections.

“Probably in the next 2 to 3 months we will already be in a first round election and then the second round. So tentatively the President of the Republic will still be in office for about 5 more months.”commented on Channel N.

He recalled that these elections will be held for “complete the period”: On May 24, two years of Lasso’s term were completed, that is, there were still two more years to go.

Can Lasso be president again?

Can Lasso run in these new elections? Yes. In fact, his lawyer considered that “that is the most likely option.” “This moment, being the president, is the first option to be a candidate, I think that defines him these days”he detailed.

In addition, since it is not considered a re-election, if Lasso applies and wins to complete the term, he could also be a candidate again for 2026 because re-election is allowed in Ecuador.

“He can be a candidate. This new election does not count as re-election, the assembly members or the president have no impediment to be candidates. The only thing he would have to do is ask for a license, leave power, for the duration of the political campaign. Nothing else. It’s 30 days of campaign “he added.

Why are they investigating Lasso?

It should be remembered that according to the opposition, Lasso incurred in an alleged embezzlement because -they argue- he would have been aware of alleged irregularities in a contract signed by the state company Flota Petrolera del Ecuador (Flopec) and the private firm Amazonas Tanker and not have acted to avoid further damage to the state. Instead, the president’s defense maintains that the contracts were signed under the previous administration of former president Lenín Moreno.

“Having ruled on cross death, this inspection is over. That is over, that interpellation “says Encalada. Even so, she commented that the president has an investigation related to the alleged embezzlement dealt with in the political trial. That investigation is in the Prosecutor’s Office.

“It is precisely in that (investigation) where I am his lawyer. I am a criminal lawyer, in free practice, and I am the president’s lawyer in that case. This case has neither head nor tail”he assured.