Cross Death: Long Awaited

ECUADOR - In Brief 17 May 2023 by Magdalena Barreiro

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Yesterday, Guillermo Lasso attended the Assembly session to present his defense on the accusations of corruption that were the basis for his impeachment. He did not announce the cross-death process during his speech, but did so last night at 7 pm, and requested the Electoral Council to call new elections following the constitutional mandate. As expected, given the 96 votes obtained last Sunday by the majority of Social Christians, UNES, and dissidents from Pachakutik and Izquierda Democratica to elect Virgilio Saquicela for another period as president of the Assembly, the probability of an impeachment was almost certain, but the President wanted to attend the Assembly and defend his innocence. He did so in a well-articulated, well-developed speech. The executive decree to dissolve the assembly by cross death is based on Article 148 of the Constitution, which considers serious internal political commotion as one of the reasons to apply this process. This cause does not require the approval from the Constitutional Court, and after its official publication, the deadline of six months for new elections is in place. During these six months, Lasso will govern by issuing executive decrees that might need the approval from the Constitutional Court. Any decision taken by the president during this period can be revoked or changed by the new legislation elected in the above-mentioned new elections. So far, no members of the Constitutional Court have given their opinion—important but not binding. But Leonidas Iza, head of CONAIE, has made it very clear he considers cross death as an attempt to establish a dictatorial government. It could be expected; therefore, he would lead publi...