The people of Ecuador are rising up to refound their country as a pluri-national homeland for all. This inspiring movement, with Ecuador's indigenous peoples at its heart, is part of the revolution spreading across the Americas, laying the groundwork for a new, fairer, world. Ecuador Rising aims to bring news and analysis of events unfolding in Ecuador to english speakers.

Monday, July 28, 2008

FACTBOX-Ecuador's Correa balances leftists in alliance

QUITO, July 18 (Reuters) - Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa has worried investors by making concessions to radical supporters ahead of a referendum vote in September but experts say he is a pragmatist who will not impose socialist policies.

The U.S.-trained economist needs to balance competing demands across his wide-ranging alliance, sometimes resorting to shock measures, such as seizing TV networks or picking an anti-debt finance minister, to keep his party united.

Here is the make-up of Correa's leftist movement:

* Alianza Pais

Most party members are loyal to the popular Correa and follow the decisions taken by his Alianza Pais party's leadership group. It is made up of senior Cabinet aides such as a Politics Minister Ricardo Patino, Interior Minister Fernando Bustamante and Security Minister Gustavo Larrea.

Another key loyalist is Correa's chief of staff and former campaign manager, Vinicio Alvarado.

* Ruptura de los 25:

A group of young professionals who united to oppose former President Lucio Gutierrez. The group has strong ideological influence over Alianza Pais and advocates center-left policies.

* FENOCIN:

An Indian and peasant group that often proposes more radical, anti-business reforms in the agricultural sector.

* Alberto Acosta:

The former head of a the government-controlled constitutional reform assembly. He leads a handful of close allies, who are some of the most far-left party members.

Acosta quit the assembly post in June after failing to persuade Correa to ban open-pit mining. He promotes tougher environmental controls over all industries and more rights for indigenous communities.

* Independents

Correa's loose coalition also includes an eclectic group of inependents, from academics to non-governmental group leaders to a movie director, a priest and even an activist advocating a woman's constitutional right to sexual pleasure.

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