• Bukele can now run for president as many times as he wants in El Salvador.
• Changes to the Constitution make elections happen at the same time and lengthen terms to six years.

El Salvador’s legislative body has just approved a groundbreaking change. It removes the term limit of the president, which will allow President Nayib Bukele to seek reelection to office with no term limits. 

The amendment to the constitution also lengthens the life of the president to six years and eliminates the runoff system. A total of three opposition members voted against the reform, with the Bukele party getting 57 votes in support.

Such a rapid step will enable Bukele to further strengthen his grip on the political life of the country and concentrate power, which did not belong in the political arena in recent decades.

Democracy Declared Dead by Opposition

The reform sparked fierce opposition. During the parliamentary session, Marcela Villatoro, an opposition MP of the Nationalist Republican Alliance, condemned the changes. 

She said, “Democracy has died in El Salvador. A system of indefinite reelection encourages graft and favouritism and discourages citizens from getting involved in government.

Her sentiments were echoed by other opposition leaders, stating this amendment would entrench a one-party state. Claudia Ortiz of the Vamos party referred to it as a misuse of power and a travesty of democracy.

Human rights organizations reiterated the criticism regarding the loss of democratic principles in the regime of Bukele.

Government Defends Reform As People’s Will

The change has been defended by Suecy Callejas, First Vice President of the Legislative Assembly, who is part of the Bukele party Nuevas Ideas. She declared, The power is back where it belongs, and that is with the people of El Salvador. 

The president of the Assembly, Ernesto Castro, thanked lawmakers, who he said had made history with the vote. Those who support Bukele celebrate his tough stance on gang policies, which pushed violence to all-time lows. He is quite popular, and the surveys conducted reveal more than 78 percent approval rating at the present term.

Changes Align Elections and Extend Terms

The reforms also harmonize presidential, legislative, and municipal elections in 2027. To correspond to this new electoral cycle, the current presidential term will be shortened by two years. After each election, Bukele will have a lengthier six-year mandate thanks to the change to six-year terms.

By getting rid of the runoff election, the customary second round between the leading candidates is avoided, simplifying the presidential race to Bukele.

International Concerns Over Democratic Backsliding

Human rights organisations and other international observers have voiced their disapproval of the revisions. Opponents claim that the Bukele government has been oppressive, arresting critics and muzzling rights activists. There has been a crackdown on critics, and many journalists and activists have fled El Salvador.

Miguel Montenegro, the head of the Human Rights Commission of El Salvador, informed AFP that the reform is a complete destabilization of what is left of democracy. The Cristobal Rights group accused the government of being on a constant drift to dictatorship.

Bukele’s Controversial Popularity and Bitcoin Strategy

Bukele remains a polarizing figure. His policies towards Bitcoin have attracted mixed international sentiments as he is hailed locally as a security and economic boost. 

There are conflicting reports of the Bitcoin acquisitions of El Salvador in the context of an IMF loan facility that has elicited a debate on economic policy.

Recently, El Salvador signed contracts to advance crypto infrastructure in the area, keeping the country at the head of cryptocurrency adoption despite the controversy.