While I have been remiss in updating this blog, Ecuador´s most current event demands a short pause from my explorations in the southern colonial town of Cuenca in order to share some breaking news.
Yesterday, as I took a 10 hour bus ride from Quito to Cuenca, all citizens headed to the voting booths. I say all because voting is a legal requirement here, and while I am sure some skirt it, it seems that the majority take it very seriously. In fact, in three days leading up to the vote, no alcohol is sold, no commercials or propoganda from either side is allowed, and even Quito became (relatively) quiet.
So what major vote took place? The passing of a new constitution, the country´s 20th and the first since 1998 (think about that...) Obviously the vote counting is not over, but with about 80% of votes counted, about 65% of Ecuadorians supported it, a very high margin (think if McCain or Obama were to recieve this much support in our elections!)
I´ll save a longer analysis of what the Constitution effectively does for another entry (by this weekend, te juro!), but suffice to say that it promotes a far larger role for government (free education through university, pensions for stay-at-home mothers), a concentration of power in the excecutive (ability to dissolve the congress under certain conditions), and a commitment, at least in words, to realize a more equal, just society that improves the lives of the marginalized (afro-ecuadorians, the indigenous, etc.)
For more information, google the story or check out CNN´s brief overview at: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/29/ecuador.referendum.ap/
It is certainly a big-L Liberal document, and makes a lot of promises. Whether these promises are responsible, affordable, and will be followed through upon followed through upon is the next question for the popular government of Rafael Correa.
Abrazo Fuerte,
Jesse
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment