Julio Carrión, professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware: “Daniel Noboa’s victory represents the half of the country that is not thrilled by the prospect of a return of correístas to power. At a time where citizen insecurity and economic issues are major concerns, this election was about change. Luisa González faced the major obstacle that many populist parties confront after ruling. The platform of returning to a (supposedly better) past does not appeal to voters who want change. Noboa is an outsider with no political experience beyond his short stint as member of the National Assembly, but he is not an unknown figure. He is the son of a rich and prominent father who unsuccessfully ran for president five times. Daniel Noboa’s youth, mild-mannered demeanor and lack of strong ideological definition offered voters a respite from the highly polarized Ecuador during and after the Correa years. Noboa, however, faces…”