The President of Ecuador
By: Mary Kathryn Jones
Rafael Correa Biography
The president of Ecuador is Rafael Correa. He is the former president pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations. He was born on April 6, 1963. He was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He has been the president of Ecuador since January 15, 2007. He was the chairman of the PAIS Alliance. He assumed office on February 10, 2006.
Rafael Correa Terms
President Correa says that he will be glad to step down after his third. "The easiest thing would be for me to retire in 2017 as one of the best presidents in our history, as the people refer to me," Mr. Correa stated in a recent televised interview. Ecuador's Constitutional Court, however, is now considering indefinite re-election for every office-holder. President Correa would probably win a fourth term in 2017 and still hold power for many more years, analysts believe. "My sincere position was always against re-election, but after deep reflection, ...., I've decided to support this initiative," he said in a nationwide address in May.
What has he done?
While he was in office, unemployment fell to 4.1%, which is a record low for at least 25 years. Poverty fell 27% in the last six years. Since Correa took office, public spending on education has more than doubled and increased health care spending has even moved to medical care. Other social finances have also increased substantially. "The president has helped us a lot. If he is a candidate again, of course I will vote for him," said Marviana Narvaez, a 66 year old housewife who received a free operation to fix fading vision.