Quito, December 5 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on Friday celebrated the approval of 15 constitutional amendments by the country's National Assembly, a step he classified as a “historic” victory for the country. 

Correa also called the efforts to have the amendments approved a struggle against the “viejo pais,” or “old guard” — the elite group of politicians who used to rule Ecuador — and their efforts to impose their will, despite being defeated regularly in elections. 

“We have overwhelmingly defeated the opposition, they don't have popular support,” said Correa during a press conference at Quito’s airport, having just returned from international climate change talks in Paris, France.

The president highlighted the 10 consecutive electoral victories of political forces aligned with the Citizens' Revolution, the name given to the project initiated by Correa upon his rise to power in 2007.

As per the 2008 Ecuadorean constitution, amendments require two-thirds support in parliament to pass, or 92 votes. The ruling PAIS Alliance party currently holds 99 of 137 seats after winning by a wide margin in the last election in 2013.

The amendments were ultimately approved with a vote of 100 to 8. Several opposition lawmakers opted to boycott the final vote. 

Thursday's changes to the constitution came after a year-long process where the contents of the amendments were shared in 162 public meetings throughout the country. The most controversial amendment eliminated term limits for political office. However, it included a provisional measure that made it so the change only takes place after May 24, 2017, effectively preventing the incumbent Correa from being able to immediately seek a third term.

The amendments also expand the right of workers to organize and strike, and declares communication a “public service” like education and healthcare, making it a right to which all citizens are entitled.

Speaking to reporters, Correa condemned the violence unleashed by opposition demonstrators in the streets of the capital Quito after news emerged that the amendments had been approved.

Demonstrators attacked a line of police in an effort to break through and confront a pro-government rally that had assembled outside the National Assembly. Earlier in the day a teleSUR reporter witnessed opposition demonstrators attack a small group of government supporters who had become separated from a larger rally.

In a video shared on social media, Salvador Quishpe, governor of the province of Zamora Chinchipe and a declared opponent of the Correa government, can be seen attempting to stab a police horse with a long spear. 

Quisphe made headlines in August after a similarly violent opposition protest when he accused the government of repression. 

Other opposition politicians, such as Jaime Nebot, mayor of Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, said he would refuse to comply with the constitutional changes. Other opposition figures such as Carlos Perez, head of Ecuarunari, said they were in “rebellion” now that the amendments had been approved.

President Correa, however, was unfazed, telling the press, “They don't scare anyone, everyone must respect the law.” He also suggested further amendments could be in store.