Moreno set to win Ecuador’s presidency

By Maria Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile (AA) - Ecuador will head to the polls Sunday to elect a successor to President Rafael Correa, in a polarized election climate that has two opposing candidates on the ballot.

After a tight first-round, leftist government candidate Lenin Moreno will compete against conservative former banker Guillermo Lasso.

It is the first time the country will hold a runoff since the 2006 election when Correa came to power. Since then, the socialist president has won two elections — in 2009 and 2013.

Government candidate, Moreno, 63, who lost the use of his legs two decades ago after being shot, has a more conciliatory style than Correa and has promised benefits for the disabled, single mothers and the elderly. He is a former vice president and a UN special envoy on disability.

Lasso, 61, is a former banker that paints himself as the change candidate in a country governed by the same party for the last decade.

He has pledged to create 1 million jobs, boost local and foreign investment and fight crime.

Many of Lasso´s supporters want to end Correa’s socialist legacy that has been severely hampered by an economic crisis triggered by falling global crude oil prices.

Those who lean toward Moreno, however, will cast votes in hopes of extending social services and public infrastructures projects launched by the current administration.

Although Lasso has shown an ability to bring together opposition sides, support for the ruling coalition remains strong in Ecuador and most polls show Moreno coming out on top with a majority of votes.

A poll by Cedatos indicates Moreno will win with 52.4 percent of the vote. The same poll shows Lasso gaining 47.6 percent support.