Ecuador's left-wing president Correa re-elected

Monsters & Critics, 27 April, 2009

Quito ­ : The left-leaning Ecuadorean head of state Rafael Correa scored a clear victory in Sunday's presidential elections, the central election commission said Monday.

The economist, 46, who has won 50.98 per cent of the 63.44 per cent of the votes counted so far, will hold office for another four- year term.

His main opponent, ex-president Lucio Gutierrez, who parliament removed from office in 2005, came second with 28.32 per cent of the vote.

Based on these statistics, Correa's Alianza Pais movement should win a majority in the unicameral parliament.

Despite their unexpectedly strong showing, Correa ruled out cooperation with Gutierrez and the third-placed banana magnate Alvaro Noboa on 11.81 per cent.

What should I talk about with these people who have no ideology and who see advantages in the suffering of the people?' the winner said.

He promised to continue the citizens' revolution' which is part of the South American Socialism of the 21st Century,' spearheaded by Venuezela's Hugo Chavex.

He told his supporters in his birthplace Guayaquil, It's a day of joy.'

The financing of the the government's policies could, however, become more difficult as the country is suffering from falling oil revenues and lower remittances from Ecuadorean workers abroad.

Election observers, including some from the European Union, said they were satisfied with the conduct of the elections. However, as the incumbent Correa had access to significantly greater campaign resources than his opponents.

The constitution passed by a large majority in a referendum last year allows the re-election of a president for the first time since the 1960s. Since Correa's first, short period in office began in 2007 does not count, he can stand for another term at the next elections.

There were only partial results from the regional and local elections held at the same time. According to these, Correa suffered a bitter defeat in the mayoral election in the country's largest city, Guayaquil. There Jaime Nebot from the opposition was re-elected with 69 per cent of the vote. Correa's candidate Maria Duarte got only 27 per cent.