In El Salvador, lawmakers have recently greenlit changes to the national constitution, which include extending the presidential term to six years and eliminating limits on presidential reelection. Mandated by members of President Nayib Bukele’s party, New Ideas, this constitutional reform will allow the current president to run for office indefinitely, further securing his hold on power.
Approved by Bukele’s 57 parliamentary supporters, with just three opposition members opposed, these amendments bypassed the usual constitutional review process, indicating swift action from the ruling party. Moreover, these revisions also do away with the second round of voting in elections, where candidates traditionally face each other in a run-off, effectively consolidating the president’s dominance.
Identifying himself as a “cool dictator,” Bukele, who has been president since 2019, was re-elected in 2024 with an overwhelming majority, following a Supreme Court ruling that permitted him to sidestep a constitutional restriction on consecutive terms. This re-election significantly bolstered his authority over state institutions and the parliament.
The opposition voiced strong criticism, denouncing the timing of the amendments as incongruent with the democratic norms, especially during a period when the nation is preoccuped with the summer holiday season. Opposition lawmaker Marcela Villatoro articulated the concerns, stating that democracy had witnessed a fatal blow in El Salvador, as the proposal moved forward under the guise of public distraction.
These sweeping changes have sparked significant discussions regarding the future of democracy and governance in El Salvador, with implications for its citizens and the international community.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/el-salvador-approves-indefinite-presidential-reelection/a-73491428?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
