New faces and talk of cooperation mark organizational meeting of the newly elected National Assembly

There was a new tone at Sunday’s organizational session of the newly elected National Assembly: one of reconciliation and cooperation.

Jose Serrano and outgoing assembly president Gaby Rivadeneira.

Although Alianza País retains its majority, its control of Ecuador’s legislature was greatly reduced in the recent elections and incoming Assembly president, José Serrano, acknowledged the fact by emphasizing need of for working with all political parties.

In addition to Serrano, Viviana Bonilla and Carlos Bergmann were elected first and second vice presidents of the Assembly.

Alianza País lost its super majority status in the February elections, as its representation in the 137-seat assembly dropped from 100 to 74. Meanwhile, the Creando Oportunidades (CREO), the party of narrowly defeated presidential candidate Guillermo Lasso, saw its numbers rise from 11 to 34.

In his opening address to the Assembly, Serrano said his role would be one of emphasizing “the citizenship of the legislative service,” adding: “I will draw on the diversity of this body, understanding that it represents the diversity of Ecuador.”

Serrano, a Cuencano and former interior minister, said he would work to strengthen democratic governance within Ecuador and to clarify the country’s international positions. “We have achieved much in both spheres but the work does not end,” he said.

He also said he will reach out to the private media to establish cordial relations but will not tolerate the spreading of “misinformation and falsehoods.”