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, October 12, 2009

Ecuador’s Correa Loses Majority Support

October 09, 2009

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - For the first time since taking office as Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa has seen his popularity miss the 50 per cent mark, according to a poll by Cedatos/Gallup. 49 per cent of respondents approve of Correa’s performance, down two points since August.

Correa, a former finance minister, ran for president as an independent leftist under the Alliance Country (AP) banner. In November 2006, Correa won a run-off with 56.69 per cent of the vote. He officially took over as Ecuador’s head of state in January 2007. Correa’s party nominated no candidates to the National Congress.

In September 2008, Ecuadorian voters ratified a new constitution in a nationwide referendum. The draft was approved by the pro-government majority in the Constituent Assembly. Under the terms of the new constitution, Ecuador held a presidential election in April. Final results gave Correa 51.95 per cent of the vote. For the first time in 30 years, the Ecuadorian presidential election did not require a run-off.

On Oct. 1, Ecuadorian police clashed with protesters in the Amazon region, where natives want the government to prevent oil-drilling and mining in their land. One civilian died and nine were wounded, while 40 police officers suffered injuries. Correa described the incident, saying, "Tremendously violent groups armed with shotguns and rifles waited for police and met them with gunshots."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Rafael Correa’s performance as president?

Sept. 2009

Aug. 2009

Jun. 2009

Approve

49%

51%

52%

Disapprove

44%

44%

43%

Source: Cedatos/Gallup
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 2,086 Ecuadorian adults, conducted from Sept. 17 to Sept. 20, 2009. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.

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