Ecuador was the first Latin American country to successfully move from military rule to a multi-party decentralised democracy based on the rule of law, following a referendum in 1978. However the Republic has endured recurrent periods of political instability during the past decade that have eroded the strength of the state, and weakened the public sector. Historically there has been little co-operation between political parties and the political instability is reflected in the fact that few recent leaders have finished their term in office: there were seven Presidents between 1996 and 2007.
Geography
Ecuador
Recent documents
Ecuador Nationally Determined Contribution. NDC3.0
- UN Submission
- Ecuador
- 2025
Ecuador Biennial Transparency Report. BTR1; National Communication. NC5
- UN Submission
- Ecuador
- 2024
Ecuador National Inventory Report (NIR). 2024
- UN Submission
- Ecuador
- 2024
Organic Law to promote private initiative in energy generation, classified as urgent in economic matters
- Legislative
- Ecuador
- 2024
There are 65 documents in the database.
Targets 8
10% less GHG emissions from agricultural lands which use fertilisers, as a result of alternative, less polluting fertilisers by 2013 against a 2009 baseline
Agriculture, Target year: 2013Source: National Strategy on Climate Change 2012-2025 (Ministerial Accord No. 095)40% less cases of malaria derived in large part from climate changes consequences by 2013 against a 2009 baseline
Health, Target year: 2013Source: National Strategy on Climate Change 2012-2025 (Ministerial Accord No. 095)35% of households will live in housing that is inadequate for resist climate change impacts or is in disaster risk areas by 2013 against a 2009 baseline
Disaster Risk Management (Drm), Target year: 2013Source: National Strategy on Climate Change 2012-2025 (Ministerial Accord No. 095)About this geography
Political groups
G77
Global climate risk index
World Bank income group
Upper middle income
Share of global emissions
Legislative process
These factors contributed to Ecuador’s constitution being rewritten in 2008, the country’s 20th such change. In 2009 the unicameral 137-seat National Assembly was created, which replaced the Legislative Commission. Assembly members were elected in 2021 by popular vote for a four-year term on a party list mostly-proportional representation system. The new constitution also allows the president and vice-president to be elected for four-year terms. The president in turn appoints a 38-member cabinet. These changes appear to have heralded a new period of political stability, with the incumbent President being re-elected in early 2013.
Ecuador’s Constitution is “the supreme law of the land and prevails over any other legal regulatory framework. The standards and acts of public power must be upheld in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution; otherwise, they shall not be legally binding” (Article 424). The body in charge of controlling, constitutionally interpreting and administering justice is the Constitutional Court, which enjoys administrative and financial autonomy.
Ecuador’s Constitution is “the supreme law of the land and prevails over any other legal regulatory framework. The standards and acts of public power must be upheld in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution; otherwise, they shall not be legally binding” (Article 424). The body in charge of controlling, constitutionally interpreting and administering justice is the Constitutional Court, which enjoys administrative and financial autonomy.
In the judiciary, the National Court of Justice is elected by an independent body of professionals, the Judiciary Council. Judges are elected for nine years. Candidates for the Constitutional Court are selected by the president, government officials and the Supreme Court, with the judges finally appointed by the National Assembly for two-year terms.