Ecuador: Congress suspended by constitutional assembly

Ecuador’s constitutional assembly voted yesterday to put the country’s legislature “in recess” until a new constitution becomes approved. The decision was made by the body during its opening session and pits the government-friendly assembly versus the opposition-led Senate.

As the AFP reported this morning:

The assembly is expected to work for six months in drafting a new constitution, with which (President Rafael) Correa aims to increase the role of the state in the economy and broaden social policies in the impoverished country.

The congressional recess, the assembly said in its statement, "is not susceptible to any interruption and cannot be contested by constitutional or judicial actions."

In the meantime, Correa declared a state of emergency in the Amazonian province of Orellana after domestic oil production dipped by 20% due to protests.

Sources- Reuters, International Herald Tribune, AFP

Image- BBC News