Ecuador: political parties

The political party system in Ecuador has suffered historically from fragmentation and volatility, accentuated by the 1972-78 dictatorship, and then chronic economic crises between 1984 and 2005. As a result, the country has enjoyed relatively few periods of genuine political stability. The 2006 presidential elections brought major changes, both through the weakening of the traditional parties and the appearance of new political forces, with greater strength at national level.