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Six former presidents opposed to indefinite re-election raised in amendments
Posted On 30 Nov 2015
Image: El Universo
They were in the presidency after the return to democracy, but they disagree with the fact that a president has no limits according to this amendment that would be in effect from May 2017.
El Universo newspaper asked them their position on this issue
Sixto Duran-Ballen
President-elect
August 10, 1992 – August 10, 1996
“I do not think there should be indefinite reelection, but one reelection as required by the Constitution. It is not acceptable that the Presidency is infinite like a reign. I do not agree.”
Abdala Bucaram Ortiz
President-elect and dismissed
August 10, 1996 – February 6, 1997
“Quienes piensan en la reelección indefinida piensan en la dictadura y en la tiranía. El principio de reelección indefinida es un principio inexistente y que solamente lo han practicado los imperios y las dictaduras en los últimos dos milenos.”
Rosalia Arteaga
Vice president who assumed the first mandate
February 7, 1997 – February 11, 1997
“As a matter of principle I disagree with the indefinite reelection, because this goes against one of the main elements of democracy, constituent elements of democracy, which is the alternation.”
Gustavo Noboa Bejarano
Vice president who took office after the departure of Jamil Mahuad
January 21, 2000 – January 15, 2003
“I think there should be no indefinite reelection. I agree with reelection after a term or after two terms. I am a Democrat and I believe in the alternation of all public offices.”
Lucio Gutierrez
President-elect and dismissed
January 15, 2003 – April 20, 2005
“I definitely disagree with indefinite reelection, because it is the closest thing to a dictatorship.”
Alfredo Palacio
Vice president who assumed the first mandate
April 20, 2005- January 15, 2007
“No. I do not believe in indefinite reelection because one of the symbols of democracy is the alternation. I think there should be alternation of people and alternation of ideas in the governments. There may be perhaps a reelection for once, but not immediately afterwards.”
Translated into English by Pierina Abad
Source: http://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2015/11/29/nota/5267181/exmandatarios-se-pronuncian
