Month: September 2025

Citizens to decide on drafting new constitution, foreign military bases, and party financing.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ecuador’s Constitutional Court approved an initiative by President Daniel Noboa to hold a referendum in which citizens will decide whether to establish a Constituent Assembly, reports 24brussels.

The vote will take place on November 16, when Ecuadorians will determine if the process should commence to replace the current Constitution, which has been in effect since the presidency of Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017.

The Constitutional Court issued a favorable opinion after Noboa addressed several observations made by the justices regarding his initial proposal, including the method of electing assembly members and the size of electoral districts. Consequently, the Court instructed the National Electoral Council (CNE) to include on the ballot the referendum question, the statute, and the distribution of seats for the constituent assembly.

The justices clarified that it is not within the court’s purview to assess the convenience of calling a Constituent Assembly or the optimality of the proposed electoral rules. “That must be decided responsibly and exclusively by the people,” they stated. “The Constitutional Court’s role is only to ensure, as it has done in this opinion, that the future referendum meets the basic standards of a democratic process and respects voters’ rights.”

Under Noboa’s revised plan, if voters approve the proposal, the Constituent Assembly would consist of 80 members. Of that total, 24 would be elected from a single nationwide district, while 50 would be elected based on Ecuador’s 24 provinces: one per province plus one additional member for every 471,000 registered residents. Additionally, six assembly members would represent Ecuadorians abroad, elected through closed lists.

The assembly’s mandate would last 180 days from its installation, with a possible single extension of up to 60 days. It would automatically convene 10 days after the CNE proclaims the official results. Following the assembly’s work, the proposed new Constitution must be ratified by a majority vote in another referendum.

In conjunction with the Constituent Assembly question, Ecuadorians will also vote on two additional measures endorsed by Noboa: the reinstatement of foreign military bases on Ecuadorian territory and the cessation of public funding for political parties.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court mandated that the CNE include these questions on the same ballot as the Constituent Assembly issue. The three questions for decision in November are as follows:

1. Do you agree that a Constituent Assembly should be convened and installed, with representatives elected by the Ecuadorian people according to the electoral rules outlined in the attached Constituent Statute, to draft a new Constitution of the Republic, which would only take effect if later approved by Ecuadorians in a referendum?

2. Do you agree that the ban on establishing foreign military bases or facilities with military purposes, and on granting national military bases to foreign armed or security forces, should be lifted by partially reforming the Constitution in accordance with the annex to the question?

3. Do you agree that the state’s obligation to allocate funds from the General State Budget to political organizations should be eliminated by partially reforming the Constitution in accordance with the annex to the question?

Currently, the Constitutional Court is reviewing seven additional questions submitted by Noboa, indicating that more issues could potentially be added to the November referendum.

American Express Raises Annual Fee for Platinum Card to $895

American Express has increased the annual fee for its Platinum card to $895, effective immediately for new cardholders and starting January 2, 2026, for existing cardholders. This marks a significant jump from the previous fee of $695, implemented in 2021, as consumers weigh the cost against the card’s benefits, reports 24brussels.

The rise in fees aims to enhance the value proposition for cardholders, who will receive benefits including increased shopping credits and a series of new features in the American Express mobile app. Among these is an exclusive premium theme that allows cardholders to switch their app’s appearance to a darker design.

Despite the app’s aesthetic change, customer reactions suggest that the difference may be subtle and less noticeable in light mode settings. The new perks also include a $300 credit for Lululemon purchases, a $400 dining credit for the Resy service, a $120 credit for Uber One, a $200 credit for Oura Rings, and an increase in hotel credits from $200 to $400 annually.

For those who frequently utilize these benefits, the enhanced offerings could justify the fee increase. As Platinum cardholders now pay a premium for their privileges, American Express continues to adapt to market demands, balancing competitive pricing with the need for exclusive customer experiences.