Today may be one of the most important days in Ecuador’s recent History. President Raphael Correa’s referendum to form a constituent assembly will be voted on by the citizen’s of Ecuador. If the referendum passes (which by the reaction of the right-wing parties, both Ecuadorian and U.S., means it will) Correa will form a National Assembly outside the purview of existing Congress.
Ecuador’s Congress is a unicameral body full of corrupt politicians and out of touch profiteers. Correa has stated that he would not use the National Assembly to dissolve the Congress. I hope, for the sake of Ecuador, he is merely posturing for international media. Correa is wildly popular with most of Ecuador, and yet his party does not have a single seat in Congress. Ecuadorians will now be able to reshape their government in their image.
In the past few weeks the political landscape of this tiny Andean country has even made it to the American Press (though not before the latest Anna Nicole story.) When the Wall Street Journal gives you time on their op/ed page one should be proud. When the wrong people hate you, you must be doing something right. Steve Lendman has a great critique on his blog of this piece.
Simon Romero has an article in the New York Times today. America is getting very nervous that Chavez has another ally. Correa has the potential of actually stabilizing Ecuador, as long as this assembly is granted the plenipotentiary it needs. Stay tuned to see what happens tomorrow.