Lasso faces major economic challenges in Ecuador

Significance

Lasso has promised to maintain the pro-market policies of the last four years, hoping they will revive Ecuador’s stagnant economy as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic subside. His approach will be far from universally welcomed.

Impacts

• Lasso's lack of a congressional majority will force him to pursue deals with other parties or resort to executive orders to enact policies.
• Expropriation risk will remain low given the key role foreign investment has to play in Lasso’s economic recovery plan.
• Lasso has promised to grant residence permits to Venezuelan immigrants for "humanitarian reasons".