Ecuador Government Profile 2009
Overview of the Republic of Ecuador's Political Structure
Mar 25, 2009
Quito is now simply the capital of Ecuador and was once the seat of the Spanish crown for the area. It gained independence from Spain on August 10th,1822, though they proclaimed independence long before that in 1809. Quito used to be part of the federation known as Gran Colombia which comprised of Quito, Venezuela, and Colombia but withdrew in a bloody battle for freedom in 1830 the area was renamed the Republic of Ecuador. Later between 1902 and 1942 Ecuador lost much of its land to its neighbors, and a more recent war with Peru over borderlands was resolved in 1999. The last three democratically elected presidents have all been ousted during their terms and in 2007 the country drafted a new constitution. It is the country's twentieth attempt at making a successful constitution. Ecuador has a population of 14.5 million people.
Ecuador is made up of twenty-four provinces, or states.
- Azuay
- Bolivar
- Canar
- Carchi
- Chimborazo
- Cotopaxi
- El Oro
- Esmeraldas
- Galapagos
- Guayas
- Imabura
- Loja
- Los Rios
- Manabi
- Moron-Santiago
- Napo
- Orellana
- Pastaza
- Pichincha
- Santa Elena
- Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas
- Sucumbios
- Tungurahua
- Zamora-Chinchipe
Suffrage in Ecuador
Citizens of Ecuador are allowed to vote once they are 18 years old. They are only allowed to vote from ages 18-65. Literate citizens are obligated by law to vote, whereas illiterate citizens are given the option of whether to vote or not. As of 2001, 91% of the population is literate and required to vote.
Ecuadorian Executive Branch
The current president is Rafael Correa Delgado and the vice president is Lenin Moreno Garces. The president and vice president are elected by popular vote and serve four year terms. President Correa was elected to office with 56.7% of the vote, promising to turn the country around and stop congressional corruption to help the poor. He rejects free trade with the United States because it will hurt Ecuadoran farmers, and is a left leaning leader allying himself with presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. He rewrote a new constitution which passed with a 64% approval rating in October 2008. The new constitution increases executive power and could keep President Correa in office until 2017. The previous constitution did not all for consecutive terms. President Correa ran with no political background or official party backing but the one he created called the Alianza Pais. The next elections will be held in April 26th, 2009, and Correa is favored to win.
Ecuadorian Legislative Branch
Ecuador has a unicameral nation Congress with 100 seats. Members are elected through a party list proportional representation system. This means that each main party is reserved a given number of seats and those seats need to be filled by the represented parties. The members serve 4 year terms.
Ecuadorian Judicial Branch
The judicial branch was recently revamped with the new constitution. The Supreme Court was cut down from 31 judges to a 21 member National Court of Justice. The new court's authority is subject to a new Constitutional Court. Many judges threatened to resign and Ecuador's legal system was left flapping in the wind for months. The previous court was appointed judges via congress.
Political Parties in Ecuador
Alianza Pais, Christian Democratic Union (UDC), Democratic Left (ID), Ethical and Democratic Network (RED), Institutional Renewal and National Action party (PRIAN), Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New Country (MUPP-NP), Patriotic Society Party (PSP), Populat Democratic Movement (MPD), Roldosist Party (PRE), Social Christian Party (PSC), Socialist Party-Broad Front (PS-FA).
In Good Faith. The Economist. October 2nd, 2008.
BBC News World Factbook: Ecuador:
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