Rafael Correa has been the president of Ecuador since 2007, and his third and final term officially ends in 2017. He is now looking to change the laws of the country's democracy, however, to allow him to run for presidential re-election indefinitely.

According to Wall Street Journal, the 51-year-old stated on television recently that "the easiest thing would be for me to retire in 2017 as one of the best presidents in our history, as the people refer to me." According to the newspaper, however, Ecuador Constitutional Court, which is stacked with judges who are friends of Correa, is considering a proposal to allow indefinite re-elections for politicians in office.

The proposal was made by the Alianza Pais Party, which controls the court. Once it passes, it will be forwarded to Congress, of which 100 out of 137 members are part of the Alianza Pais Party. If the proposal becomes law, it would be in effect at some point in 2015.

"If the country is moving adequately, why not open the door to the possibility of continuation?" Miguel Carvajal, an Alianza Pais Party lawmaker, said. "The achievements are because of the president, and his team and the people."

According to WSJ, it is likely that Correa would win a fourth term if he ran for president in 2017. He has earned popularity through achievements like providing funding for highways and schools through elevated oil prices.

"The yearning of all autocrats is to stay in power for life, and that was Correa's plan from the start," former Ecuador President Osvaldo Hurtado said.

The president insists that he is not trying to overstep Ecuador's democracy system.

"My sincere position was always against re-election, but after deep reflection, and well aware that sometimes our choices are between the lesser of two evils, I've decided to support this initiative," he explained in May in a nationwide speech.

If Correa gets another term, he will join the likes of the late Venezuela President Hugo Chávez, Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega and Bolivia President Evo Morales, who all were given the right to run for additional terms and have been dubbed Latin American leaders of 21st Century Socialism.

"With the judge, the courts and all the players on their side, the leaders of so-called 21st Century Socialism are imposing authoritarian regimes, backed by the votes of their own citizens, and are undermining democracy," Antonio Rodríguez Vicens, a constitutional lawyer in Quito, said.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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