Ecuadoreans head to the polls in election marred by candidate’s killing
Al JazeeraSep 01, 2023
The Facts
Daniel Noboa, the 35-year-old banana industry heir and son of Álvaro Noboa, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times, will become Ecuador's youngest president ever after winning the runoff presidential election on Sunday.
With more than 94% of votes counted, electoral officials stated that the businessman and political neophyte beat his left-wing opponent Luisa González — considered a pupil of former Pres. Rafael Correa — roughly 52% to 48%.
The Spin
Right narrative
Democracy was on the ballot in the Ecuadorian runoff election, as the Latin American nation desperately needs to tackle organized crime. As Ecuador refrained from electing the candidate picked by Rafael Correa — a corrupt politician and authoritarian who has been criminally convicted — Washington must now ramp up cooperation with Quito and the Noboa administration.
Left narrative
It's unlikely that Noboa will be able to find a consensus to push through legislation even though González has offered an olive branch to help him overcome the divided legislature when it comes to benefiting Ecuadorian citizens. The political novice clearly represents the interests of neoliberalism and the business sector despite his claims to be centrist which is ultimately not healthy for Ecuador's society or politics.
