Ecuador’s presidential candidates, Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez, made final appeals to voters focusing on jobs, crime, and women’s issues ahead of a close election. The runoff election follows a highly competitive first round, showing a divided electorate. Both candidates present starkly different policy proposals that will have significant implications for the nation’s future regarding violence and international relations.
In the lead-up to Ecuador’s presidential election, incumbent President Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez have made compelling final appeals to voters, focusing on critical issues such as employment, crime, and specifically addressing the concerns of women. The election is a tightly contested runoff scheduled for Sunday, pitting the 37-year-old Noboa against 47-year-old Gonzalez, who aspires to become Ecuador’s first female president.
On Friday, as the campaigns came to a halt, strict regulations were enforced, including a ban on alcohol sales and limitations on the entry of foreigners to prevent any potential unrest. Nearly 14 million Ecuadorians are set to determine the leadership of a nation grappling with rising violence. Voter sentiments reflect deep dissatisfaction, as expressed by one citizen who lamented, “There is no work and insecurity is on the rise.”
Noboa’s victory could signal a continuation of stringent policies aimed at combatting violence exacerbated by drug trafficking. During the initial months of the year, Ecuador experienced one murder per hour, marking an alarming trend. He proposes the deployment of U.S. troops to aid in combating powerful drug cartels.
Alternatively, a win for Gonzalez could introduce a significant shift toward leftist policies, which might strain Ecuador’s ties with the United States. Gonzalez is allied with former President Rafael Correa, a controversial figure currently in exile due to a corruption conviction that he claims is politically motivated.
The electorate appears divided, evidenced by a narrow margin of less than a percentage point—approximately 17,000 votes—between the two candidates in the first round of voting. With the ballot now limited to two candidates, substantial voter turnout could decisively impact the election outcome.
Support from influential leaders, such as indigenous figure Leonidas Iza, may bolster Gonzalez’s campaign, though uncertainty remains regarding voter unity. Both candidates concluded their campaigning in Guayaquil, the epicenter of drug violence. Gonzalez’s late push to attract women voters includes proposals for low-interest loans, addressing the disproportionate impacts of violence and unemployment on women.
Despite his affluent background, Noboa attempts to position himself as a reformist outsider, criticizing the traditional political elite. Experts warn that a closely contested election may lead to allegations of fraud and the emergence of a government lacking a strong mandate. There are concerns that such a scenario could impede effective governance moving forward.
As Ecuador approaches a critical election, the competing agendas of Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez highlight the nation’s struggles with violence, employment, and social issues. The outcome will shape the country’s political landscape amid rising tensions surrounding drug-related violence and potential shifts in international relations. Voter turnout and sentiment will be crucial, as the nation grapples with its future direction in a tightly contested race.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
