In Ecuador, the policies and legacy of left-wing former President Rafael Correa is controversial. His successor, Lenín Moreno was elected in 2017 defeating conservative banker Guillermo Lasso (a recount was needed amid allegations of fraud). The presidency of Moreno was also seen as controversial due to his shift to the center and neoliberal policies, overseeing controversial austerity measures in petroleum which sparked the 2019 Ecuadorian protests and his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador.