Este Monday, the government of Ecuador announced the designation of Sariha Moya as internal vice president, replacing Verónica Abad, who was suspended from her duties for a period of 150 days. The decision was officially communicated by the Presidency of the Republic, in accordance with article 150 of the Constitution, which empowers the Executive to appoint a temporary replacement in the event of the use or sanction of a senior official.
Abad's sanction coincides with the final months of the current administration, as the next government will be sworn in between general elections scheduled for next year. During this period, Moya will assume vice presidential responsibilities until he finishes his suspension, which will continue for five months.
The reasons behind the sanction
Veronica Abad was sanctioned by the past sábado of the Ministry of Labor, which determined that the official incurred serious misconduct by unjustifiably abandoning her duties. According to the official statement, the suspension includes working days and weekends, and will apply without a drop in cash.
The case in which you made this decision was removed on September 1, when Abad did not comply with the order to move from Israel, where she met with the designated embajadora, to Turkey, the country where she was assigned the role of representative of the Ecuadorian government in the context of a regional conflict. I said that the trip was not properly organized and that the situation involved leaving her children in Israel. According to functionality, this represents a personal and family atropel.
Despite his justifications, the authorities determine that his failure to travel will constitute an exemption from his responsibilities. This episode has increased tensions between Abad and President Daniel Noboa, with whom he has maintained a relationship marked by destruction since the beginning of his mandate.
Political tensions and accusations in the government
The relationship between Veronica Abad and Daniel Noboa has never been smooth. Since before assuming power, both have been protagonists of public descendants. No one, on various occasions, reported Abad as a “disloyal” figure within his administration.
This situation has been exacerbated by recent legal actions taken by Abad. The now suspended vice president filed a complaint against President Noboa and three senior officials in his government, including Chancellor Gabriela Sommerfeld, accusing her of engaging in political gender violence in its opposite. Según Abad, estas acciones buscan deslegitimarla y obstaculizar su papel inside of the Executive.
Gender-based political violence is considered a serious infraction in Ecuadorian legislation. Penalties for this type of act include fine, dismissal and suspension of political rights for a period of up to four years. Abad has urged the competent court to investigate these acts and to be examined in this regard.
Antecedents of the sanctions against Abad
This is not the first time Veronica Abad has faced disciplinary treatment during her time in government. Last Tuesday, the Electoral Dispute Tribunal of Ecuador imposed a fine of 8,500 dollars on the vice president to carry out the anticipated campaign in 2023, when she was a candidate for the mayoralty of Cuenca, the third most important city in the country.
The accumulated sanctions, together with political and legal tensions, have generated an environment of instability around the figure of Abad. These circumstances have prompted the government to take more drastic measures, such as the temporary suspension of its functions and the designation of an internal vice-presidency.
Policy implications of the designation of Sariha Moya
Sariha Moya's legacy as internal vice president was formed at a key moment for Ecuadorian politics. With the 2024 general elections on the horizon, the government seeks to guarantee the continuity and stability of its functions.
The decision to nominate Moya also coincides with the election campaign of Daniel Noboa, who seeks re-election in the next comics. Due to Ecuadorian regulations, no one will have to delegate part of their presidential responsibilities while actively participating in the campaign, in order to increase the political weight of the vice presidential role.
However, for his part, it was reported that these decisions have the aim of avoiding political relevance on the part of the mayor during the electoral period. According to his statements, the sanction seeks to “prevent presidential succession” in the event that Noboa has to temporarily delegate the load.
A context of political polarization
The current situation reflects the dynamics of political polarization that attract Ecuador. The coexistence of different visions within the Executive, added to the reports of political violence, highlights the challenges that the country encounters in terms of governability and with respect to the rights of public officials.
The case of Veronica Abad has also necessitated the review of institutional mechanisms to resolve internal conflicts in the government, as well as ensuring that disciplinary sanctions are applied in a fair and proportional manner.
This continues for the government of Ecuador
With the suspension of Abad and the temporal designation of Sariha Moya, the Ecuadorian government seeks to close lines of concern at the final stage of its mandate. However, internal tensions and legal accusations could follow the political agenda in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the court investigating Abad's complaint of gender-based political violence is expected to issue a resolution in the coming days. This failure could have major implications for both the suspended vice president and the senior officials highlighted in her complaint.
In an increasingly complex political environment, the development of this case will be key to defining the role of the Noboa government and its ability to manage the internal and external problems facing Ecuador.
