Correa To The Dissidents: “You Are Traidors and Opportuninsts”

This Saturday Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa called “traitors and opportunists” to the members of the parliament and officials who separated from the government for opposing his proposed referendum to amend the law.

“For the unfair, the opportunists, traitors, our fraternal greeting and offering of a new popular victory” in the query, Correa said in his usual weekly media transmition, before hundreds of supporters in a suburb of Quito.

The President admitted that “it has been a tough week” dealing with the departure of three lawmakers from the ruling bloc, and two secretaries of state (with functions of ministers).

“However we are prepared for many things, it is hard to see opportunism, disloyalty,” he said.

Arguing that the referendum is illegal, legislators Betty Amores, Cesar Gracia and Maria Paula Romo jumped off the bench ruling this week, although the last one said she will not pass to the opposition.

“Now I’m an authoritarian, who seek power, why didn’t you say that to me when you were looking at me for a photo and you win the elections?. There is much hypocrisy in this, how cynica they arel!. I never thought that contrary to the tradition, the left turn against the request, “he said.

On 17 January, Correa handed out to the Constitutional Court 10 questions to be submitted for the referendum. The questionnaire wich legality is being study at the moment by the judges- includes five constitutional reforms of the justice restructure, to fight crime and to limit investments in bank and the media.

The opposition says the president’s goal is to extend his power to the courts.

Source: El Universo