El Salvador’s legislature has passed constitutional reforms that extend presidential terms to six years and permit indefinite re-election. These changes, spearheaded by President Nayib Bukele’s New Ideas Party, allow him to potentially retain power in the country, which had previously prohibited immediate re-election. The new bill, which passed with a 57–3 vote on July 31, extends presidential terms from five to six years and eliminates the second round of elections, centralizing power in the executive branch. The reforms were introduced by New Ideas lawmaker Ana Figueroa, who argued that the public should have the authority to decide how long they wish to support their leaders. Critics, however, have condemned the move as a threat to democratic principles, warning that indefinite re-election could lead to the concentration of power and weaken democratic institutions. Meanwhile, Bukele’s tough-on-crime policies have made him a polarizing figure, with supporters praising his efforts to reduce crime and opponents highlighting concerns over human rights abuses and mass arrests. The reforms have sparked significant debate within the country, with some lawmakers lamenting the ‘death of democracy’ and others defending the government’s position as a necessary measure for stability.
Bukele, who was first elected in 2019, has become somewhat of a polarizing figure as his crackdown on crime has made him popular with voters, while critics worry that he is trying to consolidate power. While Bukele’s tough-on-crime policies have caused homicides to plummet, human rights groups say that innocent people were caught up in mass arrests. Human Rights Watch issued a report in July 2024 in which it found that approximately 3,000 children had become victims of the crackdown, which began in 2022. In the report summary, the group tells the story of a 17-year-old girl who was arrested without a warrant and eventually forced to plead guilty to collaborating with the notorious MS-13 gang, something she denied. Last year, Bukele told Time magazine that he would not seek a third term, though he could change his tune following the constitutional reforms.