MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sonnenholzner to run for president of Ecuador

Sonnenholzner was vice president under Lenin Moreno

Former Ecuadorian Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner Wednesday confirmed he will enter this year's snap elections called after President Guillermo Lasso enacted the so-called crossed-death mechanism which meant dissolving Parliament and ruling by decree until new lawmakers and a new head of state are chosen.

“Although this decision affects my family, I feel the obligation to put my experience and capabilities at the service of the welfare of all,” said Sonnenholzner in a video he shared on his social networks.

The former vice president under Lenin Moreno already has the support of Avanza, SUMA, and the Democratic Left (ID), and led businessman Eduardo Maruri to withdraw his candidacy and announced his support to Sonnenholzner.

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“We are convinced that Otto is the figure of the Ecuadorian who gives tranquility, who will assume an important challenge: to be a candidate”, said Guillermo Celi, leader of SUMA. And he considered that they have “great options to reach a second round.”

Sonnenholzner returned to Ecuador after obtaining his master's degree at Harvard Kennedy School and worked on adapting his political project, originally thought for 2025, in order to present it in these elections.

Whoever wins in August will be in office until May 2025, to complete Lasso's term.