Background on Daniel Noboa and His Relevance
Daniel Noboa, the newly elected President of Ecuador in November 2023, took office amidst escalating violence and crime. During the first half of 2023, Ecuador’s Interior Ministry reported 4,621 homicides. As the country grapples with these challenges, Noboa aims to implement significant constitutional reforms through a popular referendum.
Key Aspects of the Proposed Referendum
On this Tuesday, President Noboa unveiled seven key questions for the upcoming referendum. The proposed changes aim to address crime, streamline political organization, and reform the judicial system. The referendum is expected to take place in December, pending approval from the Constitutional Court.
Seven Proposed Questions
- Establishment of Foreign Military Bases: Noboa seeks to allow foreign military bases in Ecuador to combat crime organized by criminal groups. This reform was already approved by the pro-government National Assembly in June but requires ratification through the referendum.
- Elimination of State Funding for Political Organizations: The President wants to end state funding for political organizations and abolish the council responsible for appointing control authorities, such as the Attorney General.
- Reduction of Assembleists: Noboa proposes decreasing the current number of assembly members (151) and making constitutional judges subject to political trials.
- Work Hours in the Tourism Sector: The referendum will ask Ecuadorians if they agree with implementing a work-hour system in the tourism industry, which was previously banned through another popular consultation during Rafael Correa’s left-wing government (2007-2017).
- Reinstatement of Casinos in Luxury Hotels: Noboa aims to reintroduce casinos within upscale hotels, a decision previously prohibited through another popular consultation.
- Extradition of Co-nationals: The referendum will seek approval for extraditing Ecuadorian citizens involved in criminal activities.
- Increased Penalties for Crimes: The President intends to enhance penalties for crimes such as drug trafficking and terrorism.
Constitutional Court’s Role and Recent Decisions
The Constitutional Court temporarily suspended 17 articles from three laws proposed by Noboa following inconstitutionality claims from social organizations. The court also invalidated state-of-exception decrees that suspend rights, citing insufficient argumentation.
Previous Popular Consultations and Their Outcomes
In the 2024 popular consultation, Noboa successfully obtained approval for nine out of eleven proposed questions. These included extradition of co-nationals and increased penalties for crimes like drug trafficking and terrorism. However, Ecuadorians rejected work-hour systems in the tourism sector and international arbitration for commercial disputes.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this referendum? President Daniel Noboa aims to implement constitutional reforms addressing crime, political organization, and the judicial system.
- What are the proposed changes? The referendum includes establishing foreign military bases, ending state funding for political organizations, reducing the number of assembly members, subjecting constitutional judges to political trials, implementing work-hour systems in tourism, reinstating casinos in luxury hotels, extraditing co-nationals, and increasing penalties for specific crimes.
- When is the referendum expected to take place? The referendum is planned for December, pending approval from the Constitutional Court.
- What recent decisions has the Constitutional Court made? The court temporarily suspended 17 articles from three laws and invalidated state-of-exception decrees, citing insufficient argumentation.
