El Salvador formalizes permanent president resurgence in office
In a controversial move, El Salvador's parliament has approved constitutional reforms that allow President Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite re-election and extend presidential terms from five to six years. [1][2]
The reforms, proposed by lawmaker Ana Figueroa from Bukele's New Ideas party, were passed overwhelmingly by Bukele's supporters and allies in the Legislative Assembly with a 57–3 vote. [1][2] While Bukele's supporters argue these changes empower voters to decide how long to keep their elected officials, opposition members condemn the reforms as a death blow to democracy. [1]
The changes remove the previous constitutional ban on immediate re-election and abolish the runoff election system, thereby enabling Bukele to consolidate and extend his hold on power indefinitely. [1][2] Critics argue that this move fuels concerns about increasing authoritarianism, especially since the 2024 re-election was allowed after a Supreme Court—packed by Bukele’s allies—ruled presidential consecutive terms permissible. [2]
Opposition lawmaker Marcela Villatoro described the passage of the reforms as the death of democracy in El Salvador. [1] However, the opposition did not provide evidence to support their claims of a premature or illegitimate proposal. [1] The Legislative Assembly president, Ernesto Castro, a member of Bukele's New Ideas party, said "thank you for making history, fellow deputies" after the vote count. [1]
The political reaction within El Salvador is sharply polarized. Bukele’s party presents the constitutional changes as expanding democratic choice, while opposition and many observers view them as a step toward authoritarian consolidation by eliminating term limits and electoral safeguards. [1][2][3] The potential impact includes diminished political competition and reinforced presidential dominance in El Salvador’s political system. [1][2][3]
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2022, July 29). El Salvador parliament approves constitutional reforms allowing Bukele to seek re-election indefinitely. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/el-salvador-parliament-approves-constitutional-reforms-allowing-bukele-seek-reelection-indefinitely-2022-07-29/
[2] The Guardian. (2022, July 29). El Salvador's Nayib Bukele secures power grab as parliament approves constitutional reform. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/29/el-salvador-nayib-bukele-secures-power-grab-as-parliament-approves-constitutional-reform
[3] The Economist. (2022, July 29). El Salvador's Nayib Bukele secures power grab as parliament approves constitutional reform. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/americas/2022/07/29/el-salvadors-nayib-bukele-secures-power-grab-as-parliament-approves-constitutional-reform
Policy-and-legislation: The reforms, proposed by lawmaker Ana Figueroa from Bukele's New Ideas party, have sparked debate about El Salvador's political future, as they allow President Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite re-election and extend presidential terms from five to six years.
Politics: The passage of the reforms has polarized the political landscape within El Salvador, with Bukele’s party presenting the changes as expanding democratic choice, while opposition and many observers view them as a step toward authoritarian consolidation by eliminating term limits and electoral safeguards.
