Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party

Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Partido Liberal Radical Ecuatoriano
AbbreviationPLRE
Historical leaders
FounderEloy Alfaro
Founded1878 (1878)
Dissolved2006 (2006)
Merged intoAlfarista Radical Front
HeadquartersQuito
Ideology
Political positionCentre
International affiliationLiberal International
Colors  Red

The Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (Spanish: Partido Liberal Radical Ecuatoriano, abbreviated as PLRE) was a liberal party in Ecuador. Prior to its dissolution in 2006, it was one of the oldest existing political parties in Ecuador.[1]

History

The party evolved out of divisions between moderate and radical liberals in the Liberal Party of Ecuador. As in many Latin American countries, Ecuador has experienced much conflict, often violent, between the Liberal and Conservative parties.[2]

Eloy Alfaro brought the Liberal Party to power during the revolution of 1895.[3] In 1925, the Liberal Party was officially founded as the Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE). Over the next 50 years several of its members served as presidents of Ecuador.[4] The party was in power from 1895 to 1911, from 1921 to 1952 and from 1960 to 1970. During each period of power the party was overthrown by military coups.[5]

In 2000, and after a difficult period of time when the party was almost disappearing, Julio Eduardo Ponce Arteta stepped to the challenge as National Director of the PLRE and made the Liberal Party participate in the presidential elections again with the party's candidate, Ivonne Baki. Couple of years later the party was unable to fulfill the necessary 5% of votes required to remain a valid political entity, the PLRE ceased to officially exist. Nonetheless, the PLRE retains recognition for its important role in Ecuadorian history and has reputedly inspired several other political parties. Similarly, the PLRE's founding leader, Eloy Alfaro, is still widely revered in Ecuador.[6]

In 2008, a political party with the same name was registered for the 2009 presidential elections.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Traditional Parties". countrystudies.us. U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Eloy Alfaro & The Liberal Revolution". Ecuador Explorer. MetaMorf S.A. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Ecuador - Political parties". Encyclopedia of the Nations. Advameg, Inc. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Ecuador". Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations. HighBeam™ Research, Inc. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  5. ^ "Leaders of Ecuador". ZPC. ZPC, Roberto Ortiz de Zárate. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Eloy Alfaro". Answers. Answers Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2012.