El Salvador’s Congress just made some major changes to the country’s constitution — and yes, it means President Nayib Bukele can now run for reelection indefinitely. His party, New Ideas, pushed the changes through on Thursday with barely any opposition, thanks to the supermajority they hold.
The update extends presidential terms to six years and eliminates runoff elections. One lawmaker said it’s about fairness — mayors and lawmakers can run as many times as they want, so why not the president?
But critics aren’t buying it. “Democracy in El Salvador has died!” said one of the few opposition voices in the room. Others worry it’s a clear move toward one-man rule, especially since Bukele already overrode the country’s previous term limits back in 2021 with help from friendly judges his party put in place.
Bukele’s popularity remains sky-high, largely due to his tough crackdown on gangs. But that same crackdown has also led to thousands being jailed without trial, international criticism, and growing concerns about repression. Some human rights groups have even pulled out of the country, saying it’s no longer safe.
With the new rules, Bukele could cut his current term short and run again as early as 2027 — this time for a longer six-year stretch. Whether you see it as smart politics or a red flag, one thing’s clear: Bukele isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
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