In the midst of a serious political and social crisis, the election of a new head of state and government has begun in Ecuador. In today’s second round of elections, left-wing politician Luisa Gonzalez, alongside former president Rafael Correa (2007-2017), convicted of corruption, and banana businessman Daniel Noboa compete against each other.
The vote will certainly bring something new: either the South American country will have its first elected head of state or its youngest president. The first results were expected in the evening (local time/Monday CEST).
Election campaign marked by violence
The election campaign in the once peaceful country was overshadowed by a wave of violence. Shortly before the first round of elections, presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot after a campaign event in the capital Quito. A few days ago, seven suspects who were arrested after the attack were found dead in prison.
Ecuador is a cocaine transit country and cartels fight for control of drug trafficking routes. The country is also in a political crisis: early presidential elections were necessary because conservative head of state Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly in the middle of the impeachment process against him for alleged embezzlement of funds.