Ecuador assembly votes to close Congress
Ecuador’s constitutional assembly voted Thursday to close the opposition-led Congress until voters decide on a new charter that assembly members will draft to advance President Rafael Correa’s left-wing proposals. In a vote broadcast on state television, the assembly controlled by Correa’s party agreed to assume Congress’ legislative powers until Ecuadoreans vote in a referendum next year to ratify the new constitution that will be debated for at least six months. Full Story