More than 13 million people in Ecuador today are called to elect a new president and parliament. The previous head of state Lenin Moreno will not run again – the left-wing economist Andres Arauz and the right-wing conservative ex-banker Guillermo Lasso are competing for his successor. According to surveys, the left-wing environmental politician Yaku Perez, who is particularly supported by the indigenous population, has outsider chances of getting into the runoff election.
Moreno leaves behind a controversial legacy and a polarized country that has been hard hit by the drop in oil prices and the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
His successor is due to take office on May 24th. The future government faces major challenges. However, high national debt and an economy which, according to official estimates, shrank by 8.9 percent in 2020 leave little room for maneuver.
