"Ecuador President Says Would Favor Allowing Immediate Re-Election

QUITO -(Dow Jones)- Ecuador President Rafael Correa said Wednesday that he is in favor of allowing the president to seek immediate re-election, which is currently banned in the country.

In Ecuador, a presidential candidate currently can't run for a second term, but the Constitutional Assembly is reviewing this and could allow either an immediate re-election or a waiting period. Several members of Alianza Pais, the government party, want an immediate reelection.

But Correa said he isn't in favor of extending the length of the presidential term, which is currently four years.

"Four years is very little time to make all the changes required. I believe that an immediate reelection, not indefinite, is convenient for all positions," Correa said in an interview with Radio Vision.

Correa said that all elections in Ecuador, including elections for university officials, should also allow for a second term.

Correa, however, said he doesn't agree with an extension of the presidential period, a proposal that some members of his party sitting on the Constituent Assembly have proposed.

Correa took office in early 2007.

-By Mercedes Alvaro, Dow Jones Newswires; 5939-9728-653; mercedes.alvaro@ dowjones.com

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  02-13-081722ET
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