National Assembly Ecuador plans a historic session this Tuesday, marking an unprecedented event in the country’s corporate and political life in 44 years. President Guillermo Lasso faces a reprimand motion over alleged misappropriation of public funds. He asserts, “I am innocent. Since taking office on May 24, 2021, I have consistently acted with good intent in my private, professional, and public life.” The motion to censure carries heavy implications, and critics say it smells of partisan maneuvering. Beyond the scent, Lasso has galvanized diverse groups including Rafael Correa’s Union of Hope (Unes), the Pachakutik indigenous movement, independent sectors, and even the Christian Social Party (PSC), a former ally in elections. The council must approve 92 votes out of 137 to move forward.
The investigation began with 88 votes. The right-leaning government anticipated a smoother path, yet Lasso warned of a potential “parliamentary coup” if the process proceeds aggressively.
Opposition forces accuse Lasso of enabling embezzlement through knowledge of irregularities in a contract between the state-owned Flota Petrolera del Ecuador (Flopec) and the private Amazonas Tanker. Although the deal dates back to 2018 and was renewed during his presidency, opponents contend that nothing was done to end what they view as a harmful arrangement.
In 2022, Lasso avoided a similar crisis when the Assembly did not secure enough votes for a no-confidence motion amid protests led by the indigenous movement. Since then, his presidency has weakened amid ongoing political turmoil and public pressure.
Today’s political climate remains challenging for the government. Virgilio Saquicela, newly approved as the head of the legislature, will guide the new parliamentary round. Government Minister Henry Cucalón confirmed Lasso’s planned appearance on campus, even as hopes for a completely fair process waver. “Will dignitaries be puppets of hidden agendas, or will public officials act in the public interest?”
Citizens deserve clarity on whether the legislative agenda will foster stability and development or heighten disorder and impunity. A public statement from the Ministry of State of Ecuador stressed the need for accountability and democracy in the current crisis. There is broad sentiment that the Legislature must guard the integrity of the system and avoid measures that undermine fairness and legality.
— Ministry of State of Ecuador cited
agenda
Parliamentarians will have two hours to question Lasso. Then the president will present his argument for three hours, followed by party responses limited to one hour each. The chamber will continue discussions, while the law provides a five-day window to address what Minister Cucalón described as a procedure born out of illegitimate practices, developed with serious legal flaws, and ending without conclusive evidence.
Correa and his followers, exiled in Belgium, frame the situation as political revenge. The Quito daily El Comercio warned about the danger of Parliament “playing with fire” in this moment and urged Ecuador to remain committed to democracy, fairness, legality, and public interest. All powers of the State, it stressed, must be subject to social scrutiny.
#ATTENTION | There will not be 92 votes to dismiss the President. Statements from the Undersecretariat of Law and other officials acknowledged the uncertain path ahead. The full interview is cited here for context and attribution.
— Visionaries cited
cross death
Oswaldo Paz y Miño, a columnist for El Telegrafo, described Lasso as having access to a constitutional mechanism used to dismiss a sitting president if necessary. Known locally as a cross-death provision, this instrument allows the head of state to interrupt the administration and convene Congress for new general elections. It can be invoked only once during a presidential term, and before three years have passed. Both Lasso and members of Congress would be eligible to participate in these elections. Presidential Legal Secretary Juan Pablo Ortiz confirmed that the cross-death option is ready if required.
Ortiz insisted that there will not be 92 votes to dismiss the President. If such a scenario occurred, the Vice President Alfredo Borrero would assume the presidency. Analysts caution that if the move does not materialize, Lasso could face a heightened political cost and greater weakness on the reform agenda.