Constitutional Court Suspends Ecuador’s Referendum on New Constitution
The Constitutional Court of Ecuador has provisionally suspended President Daniel Noboa’s initiative to hold a consultative referendum aimed at establishing a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. This decision comes after the decree was issued without the court’s required prior approval, reports 24brussels.
This suspension arises from five challenges regarding the constitutionality of Decree 148, announced on Friday. According to Ecuador’s Constitution, a referendum can only be convened following a favorable ruling from the high court on the proposed questions’ constitutional validity.
The Constitutional Court also condemned what it described as “all forms of intimidation,” referencing an incident where the National Police responded to an alleged bomb threat that necessitated the evacuation of judges and staff from the court’s headquarters in northern Quito, a threat that later proved unfounded.
The judicial body has confirmed it will continue to assess the validity of the claims. Upon concluding the review process, the full court will issue a definitive ruling, ensuring the right to defense for all involved parties.
The call for this referendum is set against a backdrop of escalating social unrest following Noboa’s recent decision to eliminate the diesel subsidy. This policy change has prompted protests from the indigenous movement and other social organizations opposing the sharp increase in fuel prices, which rose from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon (3.78 liters).
The government has warned that road blockades could lead to arrests and terrorism charges, while President Noboa has declared a state of emergency in eight provinces and has imposed a nightly curfew in four to manage the growing tensions.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling represents a critical moment for Ecuador as it navigates the complex interplay between governance and public dissent during a period of significant economic and social challenges.