Ecuador’s presidential runoff will test the influence of former President Rafael Correa on the country’s politics. The runoff election, scheduled for April 13, pits conservative incumbent Daniel Noboa against Correa’s protege, lawyer Luisa González.
The two candidates are ahead in the polls, with Noboa receiving 44.31% of the votes and González trailing behind by less than 1%. The runoff will determine a full four-year term for the winner.
González is appealing to voters’ nostalgia for Correa’s era, which predated the current drug trafficking crisis. Many Ecuadorians long for the low crime rates and unemployment of that time but gloss over Correa’s authoritarian tendencies and corruption.
Noboa has faced criticism for his handling of the energy crisis and his mobilization of the military in the fight against drug traffickers. His decision to authorize power cuts and his raid on Mexico’s embassy have raised concerns about his ability to govern democratically.
The April contest will test whether Correismo, a movement founded by Correa, can mobilize voters in runoffs than in first-round elections. Experts say that Noboa may need to lean more into anti-Correismo to appeal to moderates and those who don’t feel strongly attached to either side.
With over 83% of eligible voters casting ballots in the first round, Ecuador’s mandatory voting system will ensure a high turnout in the runoff election. The winner will face significant challenges in addressing the country’s pressing issues, including the spike in violence tied to cocaine trafficking and the ongoing energy crisis.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-presidential-election-gonzalez-noboa-correa-crime-650a730693168df58914266fe3faa82c