Not much unites Ecuador’s fragmented and disparate political opposition. A ruling by the constitutional court (CC) on 31 October achieved this end. The unusual show of unity followed the CC resolution empowering the national assembly to approve 16 of the 17 constitutional reform proposals sought by the ruling Alianza País (AP) without the need for a referendum. The opposition accused the CC magistrates of undermining the most fundamental value of democracy by permitting the assembly, dominated by the AP, to reform the constitution, inter alia, to permit indefinite presidential re-election without a public consultation. President Rafael Correa, who would be able to run for a third term in 2017 under the reform, accused the opposition of hysteria, insisting that the reforms would strengthen democracy in Ecuador.End of preview - This article contains approximately 1829 words.
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