Ecuador’s Presidential Election: Noboa Secures Full Term Amid Fracturing Support for Recount
QUITO: The support for Ecuadorean leftist Luisa Gonzalez’s call for a recount in the country’s presidential election is fracturing early today, as members of her own party said President Daniel Noboa had secured a full term in yesterday’s vote.
Noboa’s Victory
Noboa’s support is holding at 55.65% early today, the level at which it remained for nearly the entire count. Gonzalez has 44.35% support. Noboa and electoral authorities said yesterday he had roundly won the contest, leading by more than 1 million votes in a surprising sweep after a tight February first round, when he finished ahead by just over 16,700 votes.
Gonzalez’s Recount Demand
Gonzalez told supporters yesterday she did not accept the results, which she called a "grotesque" fraud, and that she would demand a recount. However, she offered no details of her recount demand, nor did she immediately call for protests. Candidates can contest results under some conditions after the official count closes. As of this morning, just 1.25% of ballot boxes remained to be counted and only 1.71% registered some kind of irregularity.
Security and Economy
Noboa focused his second round campaign on the populous coastal provinces, which have suffered significant violence and where he roundly lost in the first round, repeatedly visiting the area alongside his wife and mother. Economic handouts and support for flood victims on the coast buoyed Noboa’s vote, said Cristian Carpio, a professor of politics from the University of the Americas in Quito, as did voter fear over a return of Correa’s socialist policies.
The economy has struggled to recover post-pandemic and unemployment has risen. Noboa has been in office for just over 16 months, after beating Gonzalez in the 2023 race to serve out the remainder of his predecessor’s mandate. He has pledged to continue measures including military deployments, job creation, more seizures of drugs and guns, an increase in tax revenues and efforts to attract more private investment to the oil sector during his full term.
Noboa’s Priorities
Noboa says his work has already paid dividends, including a 15% reduction in violent deaths last year and potential 4% economic growth this year. The president will need to show progress to keep popular support, professor Carpio said, and manage a divided national assembly, where his National Democratic Action Party has one fewer seat – 66 – than RC. Neither party has a majority.
Conclusion
Noboa’s win is a significant victory for the president, who has pledged to continue his policies aimed at improving security and the economy. However, the president will need to work to keep popular support and manage the divided national assembly. The victory is not a blank cheque, and Noboa’s government will need to show progress on security and economic issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in Ecuador’s presidential election?
A: President Daniel Noboa has secured a full term in the election, with 55.65% of the vote, while opponent Luisa Gonzalez has 44.35%.
Q: Has Gonzalez accepted the results?
A: No, Gonzalez has called the results a "grotesque" fraud and has demanded a recount, but has offered no details of her recount demand.
Q: What are the main issues facing Ecuador?
A: The country is struggling to recover from the pandemic, with high unemployment and significant violence in some areas.
Q: What are Noboa’s priorities for his full term?
A: Noboa has pledged to continue his policies aimed at improving security and the economy, including military deployments, job creation, and efforts to attract private investment to the oil sector.
Q: What is the current state of national reconciliation in Ecuador?
A: Noboa’s victory is seen as a move towards national reconciliation, with the government needing to improve the perception of security and manage a divided national assembly.