Ecuador Congress Reconvenes

Ecuador’s Congress reconvened on Tuesday after the legislature met its necessary quorum of 51 members. Congress’s president, Jorge Cevallos, swore in 21 new lawmakers to replace some of the 57 deputies ousted earlier this month by the country’s Supreme Electoral Court (TSE). The TSE sacked the lawmakers after Congress removed the president of the TSE for supporting a move to appoint a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution. Despite having a quorum, Congress needs to appoint a further 36 members if it is to pass legislation as most requires approval by a two-thirds majority. Congress comprises a total of 100 members.