Ecuador's Correa poised for easy re-election win

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Ecuador's Correa poised for easy re-election win
Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:40am EDT

* Correa has strong lead ahead of Sunday's vote * Low oil prices point to tough second term * Correa likely to keep pressure on foreign investors * Global crisis may force him to soften bargaining style

By Alonso Soto QUITO, April 22

(Reuters) - Popular despite a sputtering
economy, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa is expected to win a
second term in an election on Sunday but he faces tougher times
ahead as low oil prices threaten his spending on projects for
the poor.

After only two years in office, the socialist Correa is
considered the most powerful leader in the OPEC nation's
30-year democracy, with a firm grip on the levers of the
economy and on state institutions.

Recent polls show he has about 50 percent support ahead of
Sunday's vote, way ahead of his seven rivals. The 46-year-old
needs to score more than 40 percent to avoid a run-off vote
with the second-placed candidate.

Correa had nearly two years left of his current term, but a
new constitution approved last year lets him start again from
scratch and the new rules allow presidents two consecutive
four-year terms.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2253480220090422

[bemildred]

1. What a load of propaganda.

"despite a sputtering economy", "he faces tougher times ahead", "low oil prices threaten his spending on projects for the poor"

And that's just the first paragraph.

I'm sure he's thrilled to know he's "considered the most powerful leader in the OPEC nation's 30-year democracy".

Notice how incoherent that statement is.

But I'm glad he's way ahead.