Presidential elections in Ecuador

Ecuador carried out its presidential runoff elections on 11 April 2021. Conservative candidate and former banker, Guillermo Lasso, won the presidency with 52.36% of votes after a tight race. His opponent was leftist Andres Arauz, known as the political heir of populist former president Rafael Correa, who was found guilty of several corruption charges in 2020.

With a platform to rebuild a free-market economy, Lasso captured enough votes to win. However, deep discontent with the political class remains as results show over 1.7 million votes were null.

As president, Lasso will face rising coronavirus cases and a delayed vaccination plan due to corruption scandals inside the Health Ministry. The new president is predicted to focus on rebuilding the economy with an emphasis on the business sector, foreign investment, and oil production. Lasso will assume power with a minority Congress and a strongindigenous opposition, risking government deadlock.