QUITO.- The elected president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboaprepares to take office this Thursday facing significant challenges, including the task of completing his ministerial cabinet and managing a diverse coalition in the National Assembly.
Despite having appointed 13 members of his government team, Noboa still faces the task of selecting the heads of the remaining 17 ministries and secretariats of State. His choice of business and professional profiles without a clear political background has generated divided opinions, with some praising the liberal outlook and others expressing concern about the lack of political experience in his inner circle.
The appointment and subsequent retraction of Sariha Moya for the Economy and Finance portfolio has been a point of controversy. Although Noboa seeks profiles without obvious political affiliations, criticism from multilateral organizations has led to a reconsideration of her choice. Experts such as Francisco Camino highlight the importance of experience in the public sector to address the complexities of state administration.
Furthermore, the presence of former vice president Alberto Dahik in Noboa’s orbit raises questions. Although Dahik, linked to the private sector, denies any intention of assuming public office, his past, marked by an impeachment and accusations of misappropriation of public funds in the 1990s, generates skepticism among some sectors.
Coalition with the National Assembly
The political coalition that Noboa formed in the National Assembly, which includes right-wing parties such as the Social Christian Party and left-wing parties such as the Citizen Revolution, was described as an effort to guarantee governability from the beginning of his mandate. However, the apparent contradiction between the liberal orientation of the incoming president and the presence of leftist sectors in the coalition poses additional challenges.
Experts such as Gabriel Hidalgo suggest that the current appointments could be temporary, with the possibility of Noboa replacing some ministers with more established political figures in the future. The president-elect’s ability to balance the different currents within his coalition and advance his reform agenda will depend largely on his ability to maintain cohesion and trust.
Ecuadorian political history suggests that, although coalitions can be effective in the short term, long-term stability will depend on Noboa’s ability to manage the changing dynamics in the country’s complex political landscape.
FOUNTAIN: With information from AP
