Ecuador’s Constitutional Court Strikes Down Key Referendum Proposals
Ecuador’s Constitutional Court has rejected three of the seven proposals put forth by President Daniel Noboa for a potential referendum in December, including a controversial measure aimed at allowing the impeachment of supreme court justices, reports 24brussels.
The Court cited concerns that the impeachment proposal undermined fundamental constitutional principles, including judicial independence and the system of checks and balances, rendering it unsuitable for an amendment. Additionally, the Court dismissed a proposal to abolish the Citizen Participation and Social Control Council (CPCCS), an entity responsible for appointing state authorities such as the Attorney General.
The rejection drew criticism from Vice President María José Pinto, who expressed disappointment over the Court’s decision regarding part of the executive’s referendum questionnaire. She explained that funds generated from the referendum would have contributed to addressing chronic childhood malnutrition, a critical issue under her purview. “It was a good strategy to fund things we haven’t been able to do,” Pinto stated in an interview with local radio.
Addressing malnutrition remains a pressing challenge for the government, with Pinto indicating the goal is to reduce the affected population from 19.3 percent to 15 percent. Despite the Court’s ruling, Pinto affirmed that efforts to secure alternative funding sources for social initiatives would persist.
President Noboa’s proposal for the referendum, initially set for December, may be moved up to November 30. In a recent international media interview, the president expressed optimism about the outcome, particularly regarding a question concerning foreign military bases in Ecuador, which he argues are necessary for monitoring criminal activities in the region. However, this has raised concerns among experts and social activists regarding potential risks to sovereignty and human rights.
During his visit to Quito, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the United States would consider deploying troops to Ecuador upon receiving a formal invitation. Noboa’s plan for the referendum has now been reduced to four questions following the Court’s ruling. In addition to the military bases, the remaining topics include proposals to adjust work hours in the tourism sector, reduce the number of assembly members, and eliminate state funding for political organizations, the latter two already approved by the National Assembly and requiring public approval via referendum.