Strengthens his authoritarian rule - Bukele
El Salvador's Constitutional Amendments Raise Concerns over Long-term Dictatorship
In a controversial move, the parliament in El Salvador, dominated by President Nayib Bukele's party Nuevas Ideas, has approved a constitutional amendment that allows for unlimited re-election of the head of state. This decision has sparked widespread concern and accusations of a death blow to democracy in the country.
The amendments, which also extend the presidential term from five to six years and eliminate runoff elections, enable Bukele to potentially reign for life, starting from 2024. Critics argue that these changes consolidate Bukele's control over government institutions, effectively removing previous constitutional limits designed to prevent extended rule by a single individual.
The amendments were approved with overwhelming support from Bukele’s party in the parliament, with only three opposition votes against. This consolidation of legislative power in favor of the president has been a growing trend since 2021, with the separation of powers largely abolished in the country.
Human rights groups and critics allege that these moves are part of a broader pattern of repression and crackdown on dissent, including targeting opposition, activists, and journalists. This environment suggests a strong trajectory toward Bukele’s prolonged authoritarian governance.
Despite these concerns, Bukele's support remains high, ranging from 55 percent to around 80 percent. His focus on improving security has been more important to many people in El Salvador than the separation of powers or constitutional principles.
The murder rate in El Salvador has significantly decreased from 36 to 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants during Bukele's first term. This improvement in security may be contributing to his continued popularity.
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[1] Human Rights Watch. (2022). El Salvador: Constitutional Changes Consolidate Power, Threaten Rights. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/01/el-salvador-constitutional-changes-consolidate-power-threaten-rights
[2] Amnesty International. (2021). El Salvador: Worsening Human Rights Situation under Bukele Administration. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/10/el-salvador-worsening-human-rights-situation-under-bukele-administration/
[3] International Crisis Group. (2022). El Salvador: Constitutional Changes Risk Consolidating Authoritarian Rule. [online] Available at: https://www.crisisgroup.org/americas/central-america-caribbean/el-salvador/reports/20220302-el-salvador-constitutional-changes-risk-consolidating-authoritarian-rule
- These constitutional amendments in El Salvador, which permit unlimited re-election and extend the presidential term, have raised concerns within the realm of politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news, as critics argue they consolidate power and threaten democratic principles.
- The controversial moves made by El Salvador's government, including the changes to the constitution and the marked decrease in the murder rate, have been covered extensively in crime-and-justice and war-and-conflicts, with human rights organizations strongly opposing the actions due to their potential impact on human rights.
- The popularity of President Nayib Bukele, despite mounting concerns over his authoritarian tendencies, has been a significant talking point in the realm of politics and general-news, with his focus on improving security earning him considerable support from the public, overshadowing the significant debates surrounding the separation of powers and constitutional principles.
