El Salvador’s Game-Changer: Indefinite Presidential Reelection and Six-Year Terms Approved!

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — President Nayib Bukele’s party has made some big changes to the country’s constitution. They approved rules that let presidents serve unlimited terms and extend presidential terms to six years. This new plan came from lawmaker Ana Figueroa of the New Ideas party, who also suggested getting rid of the second round in elections.

With a strong majority, the New Ideas party and its partners quickly passed these proposals, with 57 votes for and just three against.

Last year, Bukele won reelection in a landslide victory, even after a Supreme Court ruling allowed a second term, despite earlier bans on it. Concerns about his power grab began back in 2021, when a Congress—dominated by his party—removed constitutional chamber judges who were seen as a check on his authority.

Bukele’s popularity has only increased. Initially, the Biden administration showed worry about his actions but later seemed to accept them, especially after former President Trump supported him by allowing Bukele to house deportees in a new prison for gang members.

Figueroa stated that other lawmakers can seek reelection, so presidents should have that right too. She proposed adjusting Bukele’s current term, set to end in June 2029, to finish earlier in June 2027. This change aligns presidential elections with congressional ones, letting Bukele seek another term sooner.

Marcela Villatoro from the Nationalist Republican Alliance (Arena), one of the few who opposed the changes, warned that these moves threaten democracy. “Democracy in El Salvador has died,” she declared. “Indefinite reelection brings more power, and that weakens democracy and political participation.”

In contrast, Suecy Callejas, the assembly’s vice president, argued that power has returned to the people of El Salvador. Bukele, who once called himself “the world’s coolest dictator,” remains popular mainly due to his aggressive stance against gangs.

Despite his hardline approach, critics argue that Bukele has made deals with gangs while suspending some civil rights, leading to thousands of arrests. His tactics have inspired leaders in other countries to follow his lead.

Recently, Bukele’s administration has received criticism for arresting high-profile lawyers who’ve spoken against him. A leading human rights organization even pulled its operations from El Salvador, fearing for the safety of its members and labeling the situation a “wave of repression.”

In conclusion, the recent constitutional changes in El Salvador signal a significant shift in governance and raise concerns about the future of democracy in the country. As Bukele continues to consolidate power, the impacts on civil liberties and political freedoms will need close monitoring.

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El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, Donald Trump, Ana Figueroa, Constitutional law, General news, Global elections, Latin America, Central America, Elections, Marcela Villatoro, Politics, World news