QUITO (Reuters):

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa demanded 57 lawmakers yesterday accept a court ruling that fired them, intensifying a power struggle with the legislature in the politically unstable Andean country.

Correa delivered his warning in a speech from a balcony of the presidential palace to student supporters, who, like many Ecua-doreans, back the popular leftist president's effort to reduce the power of Ecuador's traditional political elites.

If the lawmakers comply with the election court decision, they will be replaced automatically by members of their own parties, ensuring Congress remains an opposition body.

Power stripped

But the removal of more than half of the elected legislature strips power from influential Correa opponents in a country that has had eight presidents in the last decade.

"Those 57 lawmakers should comply with the law for their actions and they should be replaced by their substitutes. That's the way it should be," Correa said.