President of Ecuador , Dissolves Parliament , to End Impeachment Process.<br />On May 16, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso<br />ended impeachment proceedings against <br />him by dissolving the National Assembly.<br />On May 16, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso<br />ended impeachment proceedings against <br />him by dissolving the National Assembly.<br />NBC reports that the National Assembly, <br />which was controlled by Lasso's opposition, <br />had accused the president of embezzlement.<br />Prior to dissolving the National Assembly, <br />Lasso denied the charges against him. .<br />Ecuador's National Electoral Council <br />now has seven days to declare legislative <br />and presidential elections. .<br />Within 90 days, the council <br />must hold those elections.<br />NBC reports that the winners of those elections <br />will replace Lasso and the lawmakers <br />he ousted for the remainder of their terms.<br />According to Ecuador's constitution, <br />specifically a clause called "muerte cruzada," <br />Lasso can continue to govern for up to six months. .<br />Originally, Lasso was set to <br />hold office until May of 2025.<br />BBC reports that the "muerte cruzada," or mutual <br />death decree, was first introduced in 2008 but <br />never implemented in Ecuador before.<br />Opposition groups, including Conaie, an influential <br />confederation of indigenous groups, have threatened <br />to stage mass protests if the clause was invoked
