QUITO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's former President, Rafael Correa, is officially leaving the ruling PAIS Alliance group on Tuesday, after a serious rift with his successor, Lenin Moreno, over the latter's policies.

Correa's departure was announced by lawmaker Gabriela Rivadeneira, former president of the National Assembly and a close ally to Correa.

Rivadeneira tweeted that Correa would present his departure from the PAIS Alliance to the office of the National Electoral Council in the central province of Los Rios.

Correa founded the PAIS Alliance in 2006 and led it to power to implement his political project, dubbed the "Citizen Revolution," focused on taking care of the poorest members of society.

Correa's decision, taken while he visits Ecuador, came a day after a court ratified President Moreno as the president of the PAIS Alliance.

Correa, who is currently living in Belgium, his wife's country of birth, has announced his intention to create a new political movement.