Presidential elections in Ecuador: A process orphaned of proposals, dominated by polarization and disinformation

Abstract

Daniel Noboa assumed the presidency of Ecuador in November 2023, after winning an early electoral process. His administration, set in a transitional context, focused on combating insecurity through states of emergency and militarization, achieving a reduction in homicides, though drawing criticism for human rights violations. The main challenges faced by the current administration relate to limited reforms, stagnant growth, and an energy crisis that impacted the president’s approval ratings. The political process, culminating in the electoral process, has been devoid of substantive proposals and dominated by polarization, reflected in a campaign marked by confrontation between Daniel Noboa and Luisa González, with little programmatic debate and a clash that overshadows structural solutions for the country.
This article analyzes the electoral campaign, which, while officially starting on January 6, 2025, had been developing months earlier, following the transition period. It also examines how the process, led by the president of the Republic and assembly members, resulted in deep polarization, reducing the contest to two main candidacies: that led by the president himself and the representative of Correísmo, despite the registration of 16 candidate pairs.