Exit polls: Ecuadoreans approve new constitution

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ecuadoreans on Sunday resoundingly approved a new constitution that would significantly broaden leftist President Rafael Correa's powers and let him run for two more consecutive terms, exit polls showed. "Three to one!" Correa shouted triumphantly upon hearing the news that at least 66 percent of voters were in favor of the measure. The president says the Andean nation's 20th constitution will spur "rapid, profound change," benefiting the hardworking, humble majority and helping him eradicate a political class that made Ecuador one of Latin America's most corrupt countries. While conceding that it's far from radical compared to similar projects in Venezuela and Bolivia, critics say the new constitution gives Correa far too much control over the economy, as well as the judicial and legislative branches.