El Salvador Approves Indefinite Presidential Re-Election, Raising Concerns Over Democratic Backsliding

El Salvador’s legislature has passed a sweeping constitutional reform that has solidified President's Nayib Bukele's power indefinitely.

Passed with a 57–3 vote by Bukele’s ruling New Ideas party and its allies, the legislation would be extending the presidential term of a incumbent to six years from the previously stated five years.

The new legislature would also be eliminating runoff voting, according to the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador.

Opponents have tried to push back on the new legislature, claiming that it is a concentration of power that threatens the very principle of democracy in the country.

New Ideas lawmaker Ana Figueroa also proposed ending Bukele's current term two years early to align future presidential elections with congressional ones.

If approved, his current term would conclude on June 1, 2027 instead of 2029.

Figueroa also added that the new changes to the legislature were also aimed at reducing the wastage of taxpayers' money.

"Each runoff election costs the state approximately $50 million. With these resources, we can build a new hospital and more schools."

Democratic Institutions Under Pressure

The opposition, however, sees these changes as a blow to democratic norms. Marcela Villatoro of the Nationalist Republican Alliance, one of the three lawmakers who voted against the reforms, stated,

“This is the death of democracy in El Salvador... Indefinite re-election invites nepotism, weakens democratic participation, and fosters corruption.”

Meanwhile, Suecy Callejas, First Vice President of the Legislative Assembly and member of New Ideas, defended the reforms, claiming it returns power "to the Salvadoran people."

The reforms follow a series of controversial moves by Bukele's government, including the arrest of lawyer who had been a vocal critic of Bukele.

The same month, another lawyer of a human rights organisation was sentenced to six months imprisonment pending trial.

Bukele’s Popularity Remains High

Despite international criticism, Bukele remains widely popular at home. A recent University of El Salvador poll shows over 78% approval for Bukele’s performance during the first year of his second term.

The reforms come amid ongoing scrutiny of El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy, a cornerstone of Bukele’s economic policy.

IMF has recently threatened El Salvador to stop buying bitcoin in exchange for the continuation of its loan with the organisation.

While Bukele seemed to agree on paper, but it was later discovered that he was continued buying bitcoin, just in private.

Data from the Bitcoin Office shows the country now holds 6,255.18 BTC, with 31 BTC added over the past month.