El Salvador Parliament Removes Term Limits, Extends Presidential Tenure

El Salvador's Congress, dominated by President Nayib Bukele's Nuevas Ideas party, approved constitutional reforms that remove presidential term limits and extend each term from five to six years, enabling Bukele to seek indefinite re-election. The reforms also eliminate the second round of voting and synchronize presidential, legislative, and municipal elections to March 2027, effectively shortening Bukele's current term to align with the new electoral calendar. Bukele, in office since 2019 and re-elected in 2024 with overwhelming support, has maintained high popularity due to his aggressive anti-gang campaign, which has significantly reduced violence, but critics warn the reforms mark a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism and weaken democracy by consolidating power and undermining checks and balances. The changes were passed quickly with little opposition or debate, prompting concerns over shrinking press freedom, reduced political competition, and the erosion of civil liberties amid recent crackdowns on human rights defenders and critics. Bukele has defended his approach as necessary to combat crime, even stating he prefers to be called a dictator rather than allow criminal impunity, and has aligned closely with former US President Donald Trump, cooperating on immigration and gang deportations. Supporters argue the reforms empower Salvadorans to choose their leaders freely and offer political stability appealing to investors, while opponents view the move as eliminating safeguards against one-party dominance.