The die seems cast for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as it becomes increasingly likely that the next Ecuadorean president will be Guillermo Lasso, a conservative former banker now holding the lead for the April 2 runoff election. <\/p>\n
Lasso has vowed repeatedly that as president he would evict the alleged whistle-blower from their embassy in London, where Assange has lived for the last four and a half years. <\/p>\n
The Ecuadorean people have been paying a cost that we should not have to bear, Lasso told The Guardian a few weeks ago. We will cordially ask Mr. Assange to leave within 30 days of assuming a mandate. <\/p>\n
'RESTORE MY LIBERTY': ASSANGE PLEADS FOR FREEDOM WHILE HOLED UP IN EMBASSY <\/p>\n
Assange, who is Australian, is wanted by U.S. authorities for publishing scores of classified documents back in 2010. <\/p>\n
Our staff have been through a lot. There is a human cost, said Ecuadors foreign minister, Guillaume Long. This is probably the most watched embassy on the planet. <\/p>\n
After two days of suspense, Ecuador's Electoral Council said a runoff was inevitable because President Rafael Correas handpicked successor failed to get the 40 percent needed to clench a first-round victory win Ecuador's fragmented opposition is now closing ranks around Lasso. <\/p>\n
The new president will be installed May 24. <\/p>\n
ASSANGE BLASTS 'EMBARRASSING' US INTEL REPORT, INSISTS RUSSIA NOT HIS SOURCE <\/p>\n
Over the weekend, a lawyer for Assange admitted there is \"great concern\" that Lasso could force him out of the embassy. <\/p>\n
\"We are preparing potential legal remedies should the opposition come to power in Ecuador,\" said Jennifer Robinson to MSNBC Saturday. <\/p>\n
\"You don't change asylum protections just because a change of government,\" she added. <\/p>\n
Assange fled to the Ecuadorean Embassy on June 19, 2012, after an unsuccessful legal battle to send him to Sweden, where he remains wanted over an allegation of rape. <\/p>\n
The South American country granted him asylum, but British authorities have made clear they would arrest him if he tried to leave. <\/p>\n
ASSANGE: DEMOCRATS LOST BECAUSE 'THEY DIDN'T PICK THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE' <\/p>\n
After a decade of governance by President Correa, a socialist, many in the country of 16 million say they are tired of his confrontational style and alliances with Cuba and Venezuela. <\/p>\n
Should Ecuador move to the right with a second-round victory for Lasso, it would follow on the heels of Argentina, Brazil and Peru which have all swerved away from the left. <\/p>\n
Lasso has campaigned on a platform to revive the economy, which is dependent on exports of oil, flowers and shrimp, by slashing taxes, fostering foreign investment and creating a million jobs in four years. <\/p>\n
The AP and Reuters contributed to this report. <\/p>\n
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