Andean Group - 2 November 2004
Is time finally up for Gutiérrez?
It has been a difficult few weeks for Ecuador’s President Lucio Gutiérrez. Shortly before the municipal elections, held on 17 October, one of the founding members of his tiny political party, Sociedad Patriótica (PSP), quit. Patricio Acosta, once the social minister, had become an increasingly marginalised figure within the administration since the US refused in May this year to grant him a visa on the grounds of corruption. Although the timing of his exit seemed designed to hurt the PSP at the polls, whether it really did is academic. The party won the 5% it needed to stay on the electoral register, but other than that the results were disastrous, emphasising yet again the government's lack of both political and popular support. Gutiérrez's enemies are circling once more; on 29 October four opposition parties submitted a motion that could lead to his impeachment. The president, however, has survived many scares since his arrival in office in January 2003; so far he has proved a canny survivor.
It has been a difficult few weeks for Ecuador’s President Lucio Gutiérrez. Shortly before the municipal elections, held on 17 October, one of the founding members of his tiny political party, Sociedad Patriótica (PSP), quit. Patricio Acosta, once the social minister, had become an increasingly marginalised figure within the administration since the US refused in May this year to grant him a visa on the grounds of corruption. Although the timing of his exit seemed designed to hurt the PSP at the polls, whether it really did is academic. The party won the 5% it needed to stay on the electoral register, but other than that the results were disastrous, emphasising yet again the government's lack of both political and popular support. Gutiérrez's enemies are circling once more; on 29 October four opposition parties submitted a motion that could lead to his impeachment. The president, however, has survived many scares since his arrival in office in January 2003; so far he has proved a canny survivor.
Subcategories
There are no items in this category.