Noboa’s ADN party takes control of the Assembly but narrow vote margin could signal trouble ahead

President Daniel Noboa’s National Democratic Action party claimed majority control of the new National Assembly Wednesday, as former Tourism Minister Niels Olsen was elected president. ADN’s Mishel Mancheno was voted first vice president while Carmen Tiupul of Pachakutik was elected second vice president

New National Assembly President Niels Olsen

Control of the Assembly was in doubt following the February 14 election as Citizens Revolution held a slim 67 to 66 advantage over ADN in the 151-seat congress. Noboa’s April 13 runoff victory against Luisa Gonzalez strengthened ADN’s position as did the defection of three RC members.

Decisive for ADN’s advantage were the votes of six Pachakutik members who, with Social Christian and independent members, gave the ruling party a majority. Three other Pachakutik members abstained in most organizational session votes.

Olsen won the presidency by a 80 to 65 margin, with six abstentions.

In addition to the leadership posts, ADN took control of the four-member Legislative Administration Council (CAL), which decides which legislation will be considered by the Assembly. The new CAL includes two ADN members, one Social Christian who has pledged support to ADN, and Mónica Salazar, one of the RC defectors.

The opening session was not without controversy as the Citizens Revolution bloc walked out following procedural disputes and the defeat of two of its CAL candidates. The session resumed two hours later when RC members returned.

The close votes on leadership positions suggests ADN may not have majority support on all of its agenda issues.

A businessman and entrepreneur before he was appointed Tourism Minister by Noboa in 2023, Olsen urged unity in his acceptance address to the Assembly. “The people chose the members of this body to work together to solve the country’s problems. As president of this body, I will work toward that goal and ensure the well-being of all Ecuadorians,” he said.

Born in Guayaquil, Olsen began his professional career as marketing director of the restaurant chain Sweet & Coffee at the age of 22. In 2014, he founded Hacienda La Danesa, an agrotourism project in Guayas Province. Olsen received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University in the United States, and a master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism at Monash University in Australia.