Page "Politics of Ecuador" Paragraph 3

Constitutional changes enacted by a specially elected National Constitutional Assembly in 1998 took effect on August 10, 1998.

The new constitution strengthens the executive branch by eliminating mid-term congressional elections and by circumscribing Congress ' power to challenge cabinet ministers.

Party discipline is traditionally weak, and routinely many deputies switch allegiance during each Congress.

However, after the new Constitution took effect, the Congress passed a code of ethics which imposes penalties on members who defy their party leadership on key votes.