Ecuador: the economy has punctuated the debate between …

The road to the second round in Ecuador accelerated this Sunday with a heated presidential debate between Correísmo’s candidate, Andrés Arauz, and banker Guillermo Lasso. The mandatory event held in Guayaquil revolved around an economy devastated by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and amid the so-called Vacunagold scandal that has already cost Health Minister Rodolfo Farfán his position.

In general, Arauz proposed to shift the country’s economy from a policy of subsidies to the most affected sectors, making national industry a priority. On the other side Lasso proposed to open the economy to the world and ensure the stability of the dollar. Unlike the previous debate, this time the presidential candidates were able to ask themselves questions. Lasso was much more tense than Arauz, and more than once he spoke beyond the allotted time. The former did not tire of equating Arauz with Rafael Correa, while the latter did the same, seeing him as a centerpiece of the Lenin Moreno government. This second presidential debate may be key for millions of Ecuadorians who did not vote for Arauz or Lasso in the first round to define their position.

The supporters of the two presidential candidates have brought the color to light by approaching the TC Televisión studios in Guayaquil. About 200 police officers in riot gear were stationed one block from the canal to prevent the two factions from crossing. The luck of the draw wanted Lasso to be seated to the right of the screen and Arauz to the left.

“We have no time to waste,” was the first thing to say. “Beyond the differences, we must work together and united to transform Ecuador”He stood out smiling unlike Lasso, who from the start felt colder and more distant. “I was born into a middle class family and learned from an early age that with honest and hard work you can thrive,” said the banker from Guayaquil, who called for building a “development project in freedom”.

Arauz highlighted the fundamental measures of its economic recovery plan (“production, labor and liquidity”) and he assured: “They don’t need indicators to know how Ecuadorians are doing. We are going to put dollars in the pockets of families.” Next came Lasso’s response. “He is offering around forty dollars in Ecuador. Would it be dollars or would it be smoke in the pockets of Ecuadorians?”

Arauz replied that he expected the dollars “to stay in Ecuador, promoting production and creating jobs.” The Correismo candidate took a dollar in his hands to suggest, “We will never allow the bankers to want to take it from us.”. We want to stimulate the economy of our country, not in the offshore accounts in Panama or the Bahamas. “

Lasso, for his part, assured that he was also concerned about “the economy of the Ecuadorian family”. Unlike Arauz, Lasso read his every word. “You promised the Ecuadorian miracle and you gave us a disaster”He said before recalling that the dollar “will be the currency of free circulation in Ecuador”.

Arauz took advantage of his thirty minutes of response to consult: “If you had on the one hand the advantage of Ecuador and on the other hand that of your bank, who would benefit from it?” Lasso visibly dodged the answer and he spoke of “the seriousness of the pandemic” to offer loans to Ecuadorians, the rehabilitation of schools and the revival of the rural economy.

“More bananas in the world means more jobs. Ecuador must be part of the Pacific Alliance,” Lasso said. in the sole reference to international trade throughout the debate. The candidate of the alliance between the CREO and the Social-Christian Party underlined that he will gradually eliminate the tax on the outflow of currencies implemented in 2007 under the government of Rafael Correa.

In terms of health, Lasso He said that in the government’s first 100 days, he would vaccinate at least nine million Ecuadorians. “We are going to negotiate vaccines with various suppliers, real vaccines, not bogus offers that Argentina will give us 4 million vaccines, Andrés.”

The candidate of Ecuadorian progressivism devoted a few words to the list of vaccinated vip which was discovered in recent days: “They have in common to be friends of Mr. Lasso. This is why we offer a universal and free vaccination”, he underlined, while recalling that “Health is a right and not a privilege of the few.”