The president of Ecuador has decreed the dissolution of the National Assembly. This is the first time that a president has done so.
The move is meant to unblock the dispute between the government and the opposition. The opposition wants the president to step down over alleged corruption. The president says he will only do so if he is forced to do so by a popular vote. The vote is expected to take place this week or early next week, depending on the outcome of the vote. It will be the first step in a process that could lead to the president stepping down.