Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa won a resounding victory in securing popular support for his constitutional reform. The referendum gives the head of state the possibility to now make fundamental changes in his country. At the same time, he should not be so arrogant as to exclude the defeated opposition from these plans.
The victory for a socialist-tinged change that expands the state’s powers is a defeat for an opposition that remains disorganized and unable to present an attractive alternative.
It is also another blow to neo-liberalism, which after dominating the region for nearly a decade, is being replaced by leftist governments across the continent. In this case, Correa emerged triumphant from the polls with a constitutional reform, unlike his ally, Venezuelan Hugo Chávez, and bolivian Evo Morales who won a victory but was unable to avoid polarizing the population and worsening the conflict in Bolivia.
As is expected, this type of constitutional reform leaves an open door to reelection for the president promoting it. Correa can now, if he is relected, extend his rule to 2017, which will eventually put his democratic values to the test.
For their part, Ecuadorians provided an example of civic maturity by making history on Sunday. The support for this reform, like Correa’s election as president, is evidence of the political weariness of voters in a system that has unseated three presidents in the last ten years.
The victory undoubtedly strengthened Correa’s standing; now the leader must seize the moment of victory for purposes of reconciliation.
