Gutiérrez demanded the resignation of Pachakutik member, Rosa María Torres, on 21 July, after she attacked his policies and style of government just days after coalition members had agreed to keep their comments 'in-house'.
Torres later described Gutiérrez as 'despotic', while the president of the powerful confederation of indigenous nations, Conaie, Leonidas Iza, described the dismissal as 'a violation [...] against the indigenous movement.'
Pachakutik -the political wing of Conaie- has already threatened to withdraw from Gutiérrez's governing coalition on two occasions. The movement argues that the president has sacrificed his principles in favour of pursuing a US$205m deal with the IMF, and accuses him of reneging on campaign promises of cheap housing and poverty reduction programmes.
Recent plans to hold clear-the-air talks between the two partners came to nothing, and Pachakutik's leaders are currently divided. Some senior figures argue that the movement should remain in government in order to fight for the implementation of its social agenda. They also argue Pachakutik risks confirming the perception that it is inflexible and unsuited to government.
Pachakutik -traditional critics of Ecuadorean governments- has certainly not found government easy. Its ministers have so far disappointed supporters who had been expecting bold new initiatives and wide-ranging reforms, although the party leadership argues that Gutiérrez has blocked its projects.
The leader of the Cotopaxi indigenous movement, José Paca, admitted in late July that 'the disadvantages outweigh the benefits we have obtained from power,' and it now seems likely Pachakutik will return to the role with which it feels most comfortable -lobbying, criticising and threatening the government from outside.
Their withdrawal would not fatally wound the Gutiérrez government, which could attract other potential partners, although it would certainly change the character of the Gutiérrez presidency. The president's political career is largely the result of his popularity among Ecuador's indigenous communities, and losing their backing, at a time when his popularity ratings are falling and a number of sectors are threatening strikes, would be a major blow.
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