President claims ‘win’ in Ecuador
Exit polls give Rafael Correa’s allies control of constitution-writing assembly.
Following the preliminary results, Correa said his supporters had achieved “a historic victory” but gave assurance that the 130-member assembly would not seek totalitarian powers and would call for dialogue with the opposition.
But some ministers and candidates have given mixed signals on reforms they want.
Reforms
The assembly will debate a draft of constitutional reforms put together by academics, and a final version must be approved in a popular referendum after at least six months.
Critics say Correa, left, wants to change the constitution to consolidate power [AP] |
Lenin Moreno, the vice-president, urged the opposition to accept the people’s decision.
But a fragmented opposition has vowed to stop Correa from using the assembly to consolidate presidential powers and tighten his grip on key state institutions.
In pushing for reforms, Correa has said: “It’s necessary to do away with the myths of neo-liberalism.”
He called for “21st century socialism” with guarantees for education and free healthcare, but ruled out nationalising private companies.
They claim that, like Chavez, Correa would use the constituent assembly to concentrate power in his own hands.
Ana Maria Correa, a political analyst based in the capital Quito, and of no relation to the president, said Correa’s government “has a certain moral superiority, the idea that they are finally heading a revolution that has been proposed for more than 30 years”.
“At times, this revolutionary logic is leaving procedures, rules, the law, by the wayside.”