Ecuadorian president dissolves Congress, calls for new elections

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced Wednesday that he is dissolving Congress one day after his impeachment trial began.

He said he will rule by decree until elections are held.

"I have decided to apply Article 148 of the Constitution, which grants me the power to dissolve the National Assembly due to a serious political crisis and internal commotion, for which I have signed Executive Decree No. 741. In addition, I have requested the CNE to immediately call for legislative and presidential elections," Lasso said on national television.

The president's decision, known as the "cross-death," allows his to dissolve the National Assembly if he considers it is hindering his ability to govern.

"The attack on the actions of this Government has no limits. They have activated 14 political trials to generate instability in the Cabinet and hinder the work of the government. This is not an audit, it is a constant obstruction that has generated political crisis and internal commotion," he said.

​​”Ecuadorians: this is the best decision to give a constitutional solution to the political crisis and internal commotion that Ecuador is enduring and to give back to the Ecuadorian people the power to decide their future in the next elections,” he added.

The opposition-dominated National Assembly began an impeachment trial Tuesday against Lasso.

He is accused of having been aware that his close associates were involved in a corruption scheme involving stealing funds from state companies. Lasso has denied the accusation.

Removing the president requires the votes of at least two-thirds of Congress, or 92 of the 137 lawmakers. The National Assembly adjourned late Tuesday without reaching a vote.

Ecuador's electoral body must decide the date for elections within seven days after the dissolution of the National Assembly.