Ecuador court gives go-ahead for referendum

QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuador's Constitutional Court has approved a 10-question referendum that will let voters decide whether to ban gambling and bullfighting as well as ask them to boost President Rafael Correa's power over the judiciary.

Correa calls the ruling announced Wednesday a triumph of democracy. Opposition lawmaker Enrique Herreria is accusing the court of servility.

One ballot question asks voters if Ecuador's judiciary should be overseen by a new commission composed of representatives of the executive branch, the national assembly and a transparency body. All three are controlled by Correa's party.

Half the ballot questions amount to constitutional amendments.

A referendum date can now be set.