New Ecuadorian Constitution Approved by Strong Majority, President Correa Claims “Historic Victory”
Written by Daniel Denvir
Monday, 29 September 2008
Source: http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1499/1/
Quito, Ecuador—According to exit polls, between 63-70% of Ecuadorians voted to approve a new constitution on Sunday, scoring a major victory for President Rafael Correa. Correa hailed the results, saying that “today Ecuador has decided on a new country.” Constitutional provisions expand access to healthcare, social security and education while increasing state control over the economy.
Nearly 10 million Ecuadorians came out to vote—voting is obligatory—and the atmosphere was tranquil. Families quietly walked into polling places and quickly walked out. The only lines in Quito were at the ubiquitous food stands selling roasted pork or sugar cane juice.
The vote on the constitution was also very much a referendum on Correa’s presidency. Correa has maintained high approval ratings by seizing the property of elites responsible for a severe 1999 banking crisis, increasing public assistance funding, and terminating the U.S. lease on the coastal military base in Manta. Staying in office is no small feat in a country where popular mobilizations, fueled by opposition to Washington-backed free market economic policies, have overthrown three presidents since 1997.
The vote was a major blow to an already fragmented opposition. The Catholic Church and evangelicals bolstered the weakened traditional political parties’ “no” campaign, charging that the constitution would legalize abortion and gay marriage. While the new constitution does legalize same sex civil unions, there is no indication that it will allow for restrictions on abortion to be relaxed. Conservative bishops allied with Opus Dei, led by Archbishop Antonio Arregui, control the Church hierarchy. But the leadership’s position provoked widespread resistance among progressive lay activists and clergy who are powerful in many parts of the heavily Catholic country.
Business leaders also criticized the constitution, saying that it would give the state excessive control over the economy and endow the president with authoritarian powers.
In a serious upset, nearly 50% of the residents in the port city of Guayaquil appear to have supported the constitution. The metropolis is an opposition stronghold and, like much of the coast, has long been controlled by the owners of wealthy export businesses. Mayor Jaime Nebot, allied with the conservative Social Christian Party (PSC), has been Correa’s most high-profile opponent. Nebot had threatened to resign if the “yes” vote won in Guayaquil, urging his supporters to reject the proposal. It is not yet clear if he will follow through on his threat, but it seems doubtful, as he continues to enjoy high approval ratings. In his victory speech, Correa called for national unity and said that he was open to a dialogue with Nebot.
Most social movements supported the constitution, pointing to expanded indigenous rights, social welfare policies and environmental protections. But Correa has also come into increasing conflict with the country’s Left, who charge that his radical discourse is mere window dressing. Led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), Leftists are unhappy with Correa’s support for large-scale mining and other policies that they see as too friendly to big business and foreign investors.
The conflict recently intensified when former Assembly Member Monica Chuji disaffiliated from Correa’s Alianza País party. Chuji is an indigenous activist and was Correa’s spokeswoman before her election to the Constituent Assembly, the body that drafted the constitution. And just last week, CONAIE President Marlon Santi warned of an indigenous uprising against mining activities. He stated that indigenous and anti-mining organizations will meet in the Southern Highlands city of Cuenca on October 13th to discuss potential actions.
And in a surprise move, Correa on Sunday publicly appeared with former President of the Constituent Assembly and long time social movement ally Alberto Acosta. Acosta and Correa had a falling out in June over procedural matters and substantial political differences. But with Correa empowered and the traditional Right weakened, it is unclear whether social movements will be successful in reasserting an independent political project.
Daniel Denvir is an independent journalist in Quito, Ecuador, and a 2008 recipient of the North American Congress on Latin America's Samuel Chavkin Investigative Journalism Grant. He is the editor in chief of caterwaulquarterly.com.
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Correa exposes Ecuadorian oligarchy
• More than nine million Ecuadorians to vote on a new Constitution on Sunday
Written by Daniel Denvir
Monday, 29 September 2008
Source: http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1499/1/
Quito, Ecuador—According to exit polls, between 63-70% of Ecuadorians voted to approve a new constitution on Sunday, scoring a major victory for President Rafael Correa. Correa hailed the results, saying that “today Ecuador has decided on a new country.” Constitutional provisions expand access to healthcare, social security and education while increasing state control over the economy.
Nearly 10 million Ecuadorians came out to vote—voting is obligatory—and the atmosphere was tranquil. Families quietly walked into polling places and quickly walked out. The only lines in Quito were at the ubiquitous food stands selling roasted pork or sugar cane juice.
The vote on the constitution was also very much a referendum on Correa’s presidency. Correa has maintained high approval ratings by seizing the property of elites responsible for a severe 1999 banking crisis, increasing public assistance funding, and terminating the U.S. lease on the coastal military base in Manta. Staying in office is no small feat in a country where popular mobilizations, fueled by opposition to Washington-backed free market economic policies, have overthrown three presidents since 1997.
The vote was a major blow to an already fragmented opposition. The Catholic Church and evangelicals bolstered the weakened traditional political parties’ “no” campaign, charging that the constitution would legalize abortion and gay marriage. While the new constitution does legalize same sex civil unions, there is no indication that it will allow for restrictions on abortion to be relaxed. Conservative bishops allied with Opus Dei, led by Archbishop Antonio Arregui, control the Church hierarchy. But the leadership’s position provoked widespread resistance among progressive lay activists and clergy who are powerful in many parts of the heavily Catholic country.
Business leaders also criticized the constitution, saying that it would give the state excessive control over the economy and endow the president with authoritarian powers.
In a serious upset, nearly 50% of the residents in the port city of Guayaquil appear to have supported the constitution. The metropolis is an opposition stronghold and, like much of the coast, has long been controlled by the owners of wealthy export businesses. Mayor Jaime Nebot, allied with the conservative Social Christian Party (PSC), has been Correa’s most high-profile opponent. Nebot had threatened to resign if the “yes” vote won in Guayaquil, urging his supporters to reject the proposal. It is not yet clear if he will follow through on his threat, but it seems doubtful, as he continues to enjoy high approval ratings. In his victory speech, Correa called for national unity and said that he was open to a dialogue with Nebot.
Most social movements supported the constitution, pointing to expanded indigenous rights, social welfare policies and environmental protections. But Correa has also come into increasing conflict with the country’s Left, who charge that his radical discourse is mere window dressing. Led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), Leftists are unhappy with Correa’s support for large-scale mining and other policies that they see as too friendly to big business and foreign investors.
The conflict recently intensified when former Assembly Member Monica Chuji disaffiliated from Correa’s Alianza País party. Chuji is an indigenous activist and was Correa’s spokeswoman before her election to the Constituent Assembly, the body that drafted the constitution. And just last week, CONAIE President Marlon Santi warned of an indigenous uprising against mining activities. He stated that indigenous and anti-mining organizations will meet in the Southern Highlands city of Cuenca on October 13th to discuss potential actions.
And in a surprise move, Correa on Sunday publicly appeared with former President of the Constituent Assembly and long time social movement ally Alberto Acosta. Acosta and Correa had a falling out in June over procedural matters and substantial political differences. But with Correa empowered and the traditional Right weakened, it is unclear whether social movements will be successful in reasserting an independent political project.
Daniel Denvir is an independent journalist in Quito, Ecuador, and a 2008 recipient of the North American Congress on Latin America's Samuel Chavkin Investigative Journalism Grant. He is the editor in chief of caterwaulquarterly.com.
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Correa exposes Ecuadorian oligarchy• More than nine million Ecuadorians to vote on a new Constitution on Sunday
Source: http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2008/septiembre/mar23/correa.html
QUITO, September 22.–– President Rafael Correa of Ecuador affirmed today that oligarchic groups are opposed to the new Constitution because it would take away all of their current and illegitimate powers.
The oligarchy wishes to maintain the status quo to the detriment of the majority of people in this nation and to the benefit of a minority that has always held power, Correa told reporters.
He warned that this group, concentrated in Guayaquil, is seeking to initiate a process of destabilization and that the "mass media, in its great majority — above all the national media — is acting as the mouthpiece for that power group to defend the status quo and keep everything the same."
Correa noted that the citizen’s revolution begun in 2007, which will be deepened with the new legislation, is seeking radical change in Ecuador’s economic, social and political structures.
The head of state said he wanted to achieve a more participatory democracy in the political, social and economic context, "where fundamental rights are not converted into commodities as was the case with the current Constitution, when health and education were privatized." According to Prensa Latina, a little more than nine million Ecuadorians are to cast their votes this coming Sunday, to decide "Yes" or "No" on a new Constitution, which will be key to the country’s future.
Translated by Granma International •
QUITO, September 22.–– President Rafael Correa of Ecuador affirmed today that oligarchic groups are opposed to the new Constitution because it would take away all of their current and illegitimate powers.
The oligarchy wishes to maintain the status quo to the detriment of the majority of people in this nation and to the benefit of a minority that has always held power, Correa told reporters.
He warned that this group, concentrated in Guayaquil, is seeking to initiate a process of destabilization and that the "mass media, in its great majority — above all the national media — is acting as the mouthpiece for that power group to defend the status quo and keep everything the same."
Correa noted that the citizen’s revolution begun in 2007, which will be deepened with the new legislation, is seeking radical change in Ecuador’s economic, social and political structures.
The head of state said he wanted to achieve a more participatory democracy in the political, social and economic context, "where fundamental rights are not converted into commodities as was the case with the current Constitution, when health and education were privatized." According to Prensa Latina, a little more than nine million Ecuadorians are to cast their votes this coming Sunday, to decide "Yes" or "No" on a new Constitution, which will be key to the country’s future.
Translated by Granma International •
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