Lasso, during a meeting of the Ecuadorian government this week in Quito José Jácome (EFE)
The report of the National Assembly Inspection Commission, which analyzed the more than 100 pieces of evidence served on the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, as part of the impeachment proceedings for the crime of embezzlement, failed to achieve a document recommending that the prosecution of the President not takes place.
“There is no evidence to establish political responsibility for the crime of embezzlement,” reads one of the conclusions read at the session that took place last Saturday, which lasted about seven hours and was attended by only one of the four supporters of impeachment took place.
The Commission’s report is non-binding, so as part of the procedure it has been sent to the President of the Legislature, Virgilio Saquicela, so that he can notify the members of the Assembly, within a maximum of 48 hours, who will be summoned to a session where they will be President Lasso must appear.
At this session, the 137 members of the assembly will debate whether or not the President bears political responsibility, and they will have a few more days to reconvene and vote. Consent from 92 lawmakers is required to censor and remove the President under Ecuadorian law.
Questioning UNES Bank MPs accuse Lasso of maintaining a multi-million dollar contract between state-owned oil transport company Flopec and offshore firm Amazonas Tanker Pool.
The impeachment motion, which was officially launched on March 16 with the support of 59 lawmakers, could have an outcome at a crucial political juncture, with changes taking place in Ecuador’s local authorities, mayors and prefects, and within the assembly, membership reassignments will be the commissions and supreme authority of the legislature for the next two years.
Subscribe to EL PAÍS to follow all the news and read without limits.
subscribe to
President Lasso also has the power to impose crucifixion, a figure found in the Ecuadorian constitution that gives him the power to dissolve the assembly and call early elections. The President has already said that he will use this mechanism if the impeachment proceedings against him are successful.
Subscribe to the EL PAÍS America newsletter here and receive all the latest news from the region.