San Salvador, El Salvador – El Salvador's Legislative Assembly has voted to eliminate presidential term limits, allowing President Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite re-election. The constitutional reforms, passed with a 57-3 vote, also extend the presidential term from five to six years and abolish run-off elections. This move, spearheaded by Bukele's ruling New Ideas party which holds a supermajority, paves the way for a significant shift in the nation's political landscape.
The changes consolidate power for President Bukele, who has maintained high approval ratings, often cited as over 80%. His popularity is largely attributed to his assertive crackdown on gang violence, which has dramatically reduced crime rates across the country. Supporters of the reforms, including New Ideas lawmaker Ana Figueroa, argue that they empower the Salvadoran people to decide how long they wish to support their leaders.
However, the legislative amendments have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and human rights organizations. Opposition lawmaker Marcela Villatoro of the Republican National Alliance (ARENA) stated, "Today, democracy has died in El Salvador," reflecting concerns about the concentration of power. Human rights groups, such as Cristosal, have also voiced alarm, comparing El Salvador's trajectory to that of Venezuela, warning of a potential slide towards authoritarianism.
President Bukele, who was re-elected in 2024 with approximately 85% of the vote despite a constitutional ban on immediate re-election, has previously embraced his controversial image, once calling himself "the world's coolest dictator." The newly approved reforms also include a provision to shorten the current presidential term, synchronizing presidential, legislative, and municipal elections in 2027. This adjustment is expected to further benefit the ruling party by streamlining the electoral calendar.