A reshuffled progressive coalition adds another layer of uncertainty to an already crowded local election field.

Cuenca’s race for mayor took a new turn after Azuay Prefect Juan Cristóbal Lloret emerged as the candidate of an alliance between the Ecuadorian Socialist Party and the local Renovación movement.

The agreement, presented July 8th, places Lloret in the contest for the Cuenca mayoralty and moves Consuelo Orellana into the race for prefect of Azuay. Orellana had previously been considered for mayor, but the coalition’s revised arrangement gives her the provincial position.

The partnership links Lloret, who was elected prefect with the Citizen Revolution movement, to an organization associated with Mayor Cristian Zamora. Renovación was founded by one of Zamora’s advisers, and its support formalizes a political relationship that has developed since Lloret and Zamora began their current terms in 2023.

A political setback changes the plan

The ticket represents a major change from the scenario expected earlier in the election cycle. Zamora had been preparing to seek re-election as mayor, while Lloret planned to remain in the prefecture.

Those plans were disrupted after the Electoral Disputes Tribunal suspended Zamora’s political rights following a complaint involving gender-based political violence. The coalition then reorganized its prospective slate, moving Lloret toward City Hall and Orellana toward the prefecture.

Their candidacies remain in the pre-registration stage as political groups negotiate alliances ahead of the November 29, 2026, local elections.

Citizen Revolution allies remain outside

The Amigo movement, the organization through which the Correa-aligned Citizen Revolution plans to compete locally, has not joined the Socialist-Renovación agreement.

Amigo has its own prospective candidates. Cuenca Councilman Iván Abril is its pre-candidate for mayor, while Fernanda Chica is seeking the prefecture. That leaves the broader Correa-aligned political sector with competing names for both offices.

Lloret has said the new coalition remains open to other progressive organizations and indicated that the invitation also extends to Amigo. No agreement has been announced, however, and he did not clarify whether Citizen Revolution would ultimately support his ticket.

The situation is complicated by Lloret’s continued identification with Citizen Revolution. His decision to run with the Socialist Party and Renovación provides another route to the ballot, but it leaves unanswered whether his longtime political organization will align with him or maintain a separate slate.

A crowded field approaches registration

The negotiations are unfolding amid a wide field of prospective contenders. Primary elections completed July 2nd produced 13 pre-candidates for mayor of Cuenca and 11 for prefect of Azuay.

Until registration begins, additional negotiations could still alter the pairings and produce new alliances across the province.

Parties and movements now have a narrow window to settle their coalitions and determine which names will advance beyond the pre-candidacy stage. Formal candidate registration opens August 2nd, increasing pressure on Amigo, Citizen Revolution and the Socialist-Renovación partnership to decide whether they will unite or compete against one another on the November ballot.