The second round of the presidential election in Ecuador is imminent, pitting two candidates with radically different political visions against each other. Luisa Gonzalez, socialist lawyer and heir to ex-president Rafael Correa, faces Daniel Noboa, a young liberal candidate whose father is an influential businessman in the country.
This duel is particularly anticipated because it could lead to the election of the first woman at the head of Ecuador, or the youngest president in the modern history of the country. Many voters are therefore going to the polls, with nearly 13.4 million voters expected for this election.
However, this second round is taking place in a climate of increasing violence and insecurity. Nearly 100,000 soldiers and police will be deployed throughout the country to ensure the security of the vote, after the assassination of one of the main candidates during the first round.
The issues at stake in this election are multiple. Ecuador is facing a wave of violence linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. The country’s institutions are weakened and corruption is endemic. The next president will therefore have the difficult task of confronting these problems and relaunching the country’s economy.
The two candidates have very different programs and political visions. Daniel Noboa wants to create a large intelligence agency to fight crime, while Luisa Gonzalez proposes more social programs to prevent delinquency. On the economic level, Gonzalez advocates a more “solidarity” and egalitarian state, while Noboa defends a liberal and entrepreneurial policy.
The support of former President Rafael Correa for the candidacy of Luisa Gonzalez adds an additional dimension to this election. Correa, who is in exile and convicted of corruption in his country, currently serves as Gonzalez’s adviser.
Polls show that this duel is very close and the political polarization between the Correist bloc and the other political forces in the country makes the results uncertain. In addition, no force or party has an absolute majority in the National Assembly, which will complicate the adoption of new laws and measures.
Therefore, Ecuador is impatiently awaiting the results of this presidential election, fearing an escalation of violence and insecurity if the country’s problems are not quickly resolved. The new president will have to face many challenges and find solutions to put the country back on the path to progress and stability.