Ecuador’s Constitutional Court declared this Wednesday (30) that the impeachment hearings for embezzlement against President Guillermo Lasso, requested by opposition lawmakers for alleged corruption in state-owned companies, can proceed.
The ruling could make it more likely that Lasso will dissolve the assembly and call early elections for his office and parliamentary seats.
Lasso vehemently denies the allegations.
understand the case
Earlier this month, lawmakers backed a report accusing Lasso of links to possible crimes against state security and public administration, amid investigations by the attorney general’s office into alleged bribery at state-owned companies.
Lawmakers also voted to declassify files related to corruption investigations in search of evidence to support the impeachment attempt, but neither Lasso nor any of his family members appeared in the documents.
The formal request, presented by a parliamentarian from the party of former president Rafael Correa, had 59 signatures of support.
“This indictment will demonstrate how President Guillermo Lasso Mendoza participated in a corrupt structure to obtain benefits for himself and others,” the request said.
In a statement, the government rejected the effort.
“This request completely lacks the political and legal elements that would support a lawsuit against the president,” the government said, adding that the effort was an attempt at “destabilization” by the assembly.
Proponents need constitutional court approval for an impeachment trial to take place.
Source: CNN Brasil
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