Esteban Bernal, current Minister for Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES), assumed the national presidency of CREO (Creando Oportunidades) in an assembly held on the night of May 22, during which it was also decided that it would move from the status of a movement to that of a political party.

The directive is supplemented as follows: Susana Añasco will be national vice-president; Erwin Ronquillo, first member, Hilda Tipantuña, second member; Iván Correa, third member; July Hidalgo, fourth member; and Fabricio Burgos, fifth member.

The directives were also formed in the 24 provinces of the country, in addition to the three circumscriptions abroad: Latin America, Caribbean and Africa; Canada and United States; and Europe, Asia and Oceania.

“With this, CREO is preparing to present, in the coming days, the candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of Ecuador, as well as the members of the national, provincial and foreign assemblies, in view of the upcoming elections, which, according to the electoral calendar, will take place in August 2023,” a statement from the group read.

The elections will be brought forward following President Guillermo Lasso’s decision to dissolve parliament and ask the National Electoral Council (CNE) to call elections to choose the presidential candidate and lawmakers.

In an interview with EL UNIVERSO, Bernal said on May 22 that they are still analyzing which members of the assembly will stand for re-election. “What there is is a conceptual decision that they have priority, but also balance the quantitative and qualitative qualities that they have. We have already made a first sketch. There are some who want to repeat, others who voluntarily said they did not want more,” the official said.

On whether Lasso will seek re-election, the leader said, “President Lasso is our first option; The decision is in his hands. Yesterday evening (Sunday 21st) I had a long conversation with him, it is clear about the responsibility he took in anticipating the elections and shortening his mandate. It was a patriotic and civic decision. It is not easy for a president to subscribe to it after having legitimately won the polls.

CREO will begin these days the process of formalizing its transition from party to movement, indicated Bernal. (YO)