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The Australian hacker has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge, London, for nearly five years in an attempt to avoid being deported to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault, allegations he has denied. But the 45-year-old could find himself being booted out should the right-wing candidate Guillermo Lasso, 61, get elected in the country’s presidential election, when the second round of voting takes place on April 2. The Creating Opportunities candidate is running on a ticket of changing the status quo in Ecuador and has also pledged to boost the economy, creating one million jobs.

Getty Wikileaks founder Julian Assange could be thrown out of the Ecuador embassy in London

Part of the reform that he wants is to build better relations with the US but Mr Lasso has now been accused of a policy of “appeasement” to its American neighbour with Mr Assange being offered up as an olive branch for a better working relationship. The current President Rafael Correa said: “He [Lasso] would ask Mr Assange to leave the embassy. That’s the appeasement of our right-wing parties to win points with the USA.” He also attacked Mr Lasso for not “respecting the commitments” of Ecuador regarding Mr Assange.

Things you may not know about Julian Assange Tue, March 7, 2017 WikiLeaks Founder, Julian Assange has led a very interesting and controversial life which has been at the centre of global debate Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 10 It is believed that Julian Assange chooses to live in Sweden because the country's media laws are among the world's most protective for journalists

He [Lasso] would ask Mr Assange to leave the embassy. That’s the appeasement of our right-wing parties to win points with the USA Ecuador President Rafael Correa

He added: "He wants to attack his human rights, kick him out and leave him unprotected.” Mr Assange wrote on his Twitter page: “Ecuador’s tough outgoing president @MashiRafael accuses possible president Lasso of ’selling out’ my asylum to US.” The US also wants to speak to Mr Assange over the publication by Wikileaks of hundreds of thousands of confidential documents on the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as 250.000 sensitive US diplomatic letters.

Getty Julian Assange on the balcony of the Ecuador embassy in London

The current President granted Mr Assange diplomatic asylum in 2012 and is not able to stand for re-election having already served two terms. But Mr Lasso had previously stated: “Within the framework of human rights and respect for international law, we will seek that Mr Assange abandons the Ecuadorian embassy in London within the first 30 days of our government.” During the first round of voting in the Ecuadorian election Cynthia Viteri of the Social Christian Party wanted to use the money being spent on housing Mr Assange to spent on lunches for schoolchildren.

Getty Presidential hopeful Guillermo Lasso after the first round of voting

Twitter Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's Twitter message

Getty Julian Assange on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy

Getty Outgoing Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa