Gov't: Ecuadorean Congress will remain

[arcos]

Gov't: Ecuadorean Congress will remain

QUITO, Ecuador - Ecuador's new leftist government said Thursday that it does not plan to dissolve Congress despite a bitter fight over a push to overhaul the country's charter that led protesters to storm the capitol this week.

Armed with clubs and rocks, thousands of supporters of President Rafael Correa invaded the congressional building Tuesday to demand that lawmakers call a March 18 referendum on whether the constitution should be rewritten. They forced the session to be suspended and police dispersed the protests after firing tear gas on the crowd.

Correa says the referendum is necessary to limit the power of Ecuador's traditional parties, which he blames for the country's problems. Opposition lawmakers, meanwhile, have raised fears that a constitutional assembly with unlimited powers, as Correa advocates, might move to close the legislature.

Interior Minister Gustavo Larrea said Thursday that Correa has "no intention" of shutting Congress over the dispute.

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http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/16602928.htm


Good for Correa... even though I was a fan before he was actually elected, he has proven to be a real democrat and a real statesman. I'm confident he will continue in this path, with reform and equality in his plans but with deep respect to democratic institutions.