ECUADOR: ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT QUITS WITH NO WARNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000567 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2018 TAGS: PGOV EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR: ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT QUITS WITH NO WARNING Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a surprise move, Constituent Assembly President Alberto Acosta (Proud and Sovereign Fatherland Movement or PAIS) resigned from that position June 23. Citing his frustration with a process that he feels has become too rushed, Acosta vowed to remain focused on helping the Assembly to finish its task. The move reveals tension within the PAIS camp and is an embarrassment to President Correa. Though he is remaining a member of the Assembly, his future role is still not clear, nor the extent to which his resignation might undermine political unity on the Left side of the spectrum. End summary. MY ("DEMOCRATIC") WAY OR THE HIGHWAY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Constituent Assembly President Alberto Acosta surprised the Ecuadorian political elite and public by resigning on June 23. Following a bizarre day of twists and turns and postponements of his statement, Acosta spoke to reporters late in the afternoon. Flanked by members of other political parties, including the leading indigenous party Pachakutik, Ethics and Democracy Network (RED) and the Democratic Left (ID) but with no members of his own political movement present, Acosta noted that "the path to the constitution is as important as the final product." Noting his displeasure with the majority of PAIS members' desire to finish the constitution by the deadline on time, rather than give each aspect of the document what he considers proper debate, Acosta lamented that "the quality of the text should not be compromised due to time constraints." Acosta went on to suggest that if debate were to be limited or suspended on constitutional language yet to be approved the Assembly was "compromising the legitimacy" of the work it had already done. ¶3. (C) Gustavo Tamariz of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal told poloff on June 23 that Acosta's decision was a direct result of President Correa's refusal to seek an extension of the Assembly's deadline, and particular displeasure with Correa's use of the term "too democratic" when describing the often verbose and lengthy debates over minor constitutional points. Minister of Defense Javier Ponce, a member of the PAIS political bureau, told the DCM June 24 that Acosta had asked for two to four additional months to complete the constitution, a length of time the PAIS leadership felt was 
politically impossible. ¶4. (SBU) Acosta expressed his desire to remain a voice for democratic change, and vowed not to "provoke a power struggle" within PAIS or within Ecuador's larger political context. He went on the state his hope that his decision would not hurt "Ecuador, President Correa, the government or the constitution." WHAT NEXT? -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Acosta said that he would continue to remain an active voice within the Assembly. He suggested that all of the party bloc leaders within the Assembly meet to iron out a realistic and thoughtful schedule for the remainder of the Assembly's work. Correa and the PAIS political leadership have made the decision that Assembly Deputy President Fernando Cordero, who appeared caught of guard when word of the resignation first leaked, will take the President's chair, for the remainder of the Assembly, although permanent succession rules have never been clearly defined. Opposition members have criticized Cordero for strong-arm tactics and limiting debate on several constitutional articles, in contrast to Acosta's more inclusive style of leadership. A DELIGHTED OPPOSITION AND AN EMBOLDENED CENTER-LEFT -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Members of the opposition within the Assembly were quick to praise Acosta for his political bravery and used the incident to try to undermine the credibility of the Assembly process. Reinvigoration of National Institutions Party (PRIAN) Assembly member Vicente Taiano praised Acosta as a gentleman, noting his willingness to "look for consensus" as opposed to other PAIS members. Social Christian Party (PSC) member Leonardo Viteri joined the pro-Acosta chorus during a June 24 television interview, lamenting that his "reasonable" style would disappear if Cordero assumes the Assembly President. Viteri gave specific examples of Cordero cutting speakers off and limiting debate. Members of the Guayaquil business community looked to Acosta's decision as the first sign of a major rift within PAIS. President of the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce Teodoro Maldonado told Guayaquil poloff June 23 that this would help the opposition in its effort to "succeed with the no vote" in the expected referendum on the constitution once it is completed. ¶7. (SBU) Center-left members of the Constituent Assembly also expressed their admiration for Acosta's decision. RED member Leon Roldos summed up his party's views well in an interview on June 23, noting that his decision demonstrated that "the credibility of the Assembly's work is at stake." Roldos applauded Acosta for standing up "against the regime" in order to save the constitution. COMMENT: "ALL FOR THE FATHERLAND AND NOTHING FOR OURSELVES" -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) In a bold and adroit political move, Acosta has cast himself as a "knight on horseback" who is more interested in the common good than his personal future. Having been marginalized by Correa for some time, Acosta has invigorated his political standing. By specifically quoting national hero Eloy Alfaro in his remarks, "...all for the fatherland and nothing for ourselves", he has suggested that his views best serve the people. Tensions between Acosta and Correa, which have been evident for some time have clearly taken a serious turn for the worse. Acosta admitted during questioning following his statement that he had not spoken with Correa "for several days." ¶9. (C) Though Acosta vowed not to embark on a power struggle, it remains to be seen whether such a struggle will ferment. It is too early to tell if Acosta will becoming a rallying point around which Correa's left flank will revolt, but Correa and the chance of an easy referendum victory for his constitutional project are no doubt weakened by this turn of events. Jewell