Quito, September 16 (teleSUR-RHC)-- The results of the first phase of Ecuador's National Dialogue for Equality and Social Justice have recently been disclosed to the public.

The dialogue is a series of debates, which began in mid-June following violent opposition protests and the temporary withdrawal of the inheritance tax bill and law for capital gains bills. The debates sought to engage citizens in dialogue on wealth redistribution and policy planning.    

President Rafael Correa told press, “Opposition media was able to provoke fear of these laws, and close to 60 percent were against the laws even though the majority knew they would not be affected by them. Today with the information we have given in these discussions the percentage is now at 38 percent.  But also for this reason, I am going to say we should continue the dialogue.”     

The National Secretary for Planning and Development (Senplades) revealed that over 150,000 people participated in public debates in neighborhoods and in forums across the country. Students, business-owners, homemakers and political organizations are some of the diverse sectors who participated in the dialogues.   

Authorities of Senplades highlighted that one of the greatest achievements of the dialogues is that they have led to greater access of information on the inheritance tax and law for capital gains.

“We will continue informing citizens and receiving ideas about these bills. And we have already received input in this process, and if there is more great, and if we can continue having citizens inform themselves great, and if this percentage of rejection to the bills or doubts about them lowers great,” said National Secretary for Planning and Development Pabel Muñoz.      

“This is what we are going to do. We will continue strengthening these spaces of dialogue and participation based on our results, which the law for citizen participation demands.”     

A poll taken by Senplades revealed that 80 percent of Ecuadoreans believed the dialogue is an effective tool to increase citizen participation. The second phase of the dialogues will continue until at least December, and it will then be determined if the law for inheritance and capital gains tax will be modified and resubmitted to the National Assembly for debate.