Quito. November 1 (RHC)--The National Directorate of the ruling PAIS Alliance party removed Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno as the president of the party and has started disciplinary proceedings against him.

The party directorate chose former Foreign Minister and former Minister of Defense Ricardo Patiño to become its leader.

Moreno’s replacement was announced on Tuesday by the party´s Executive Secretary Gabriela Rivadeneira.

The party's National Directorate also extended an invitation to former President Rafael Correa to lead a process of restructuring of the political party.

In response, the current Vice President, Maria Alejandra Vicuna, accused the National Directorate saying that "they degrade the condition of a revolutionary organization that has no owners" and demanding they find their way back to the fold by respecting the will of the membership.