Posted on 08/01/2025 7:21:32 AM PDT by BenLurkin
El Salvador's congress has approved constitutional reforms to abolish presidential term limits, allowing President Nayib Bukele to run an unlimited number of times.
The reform, reviewed under an expedited procedure, will also extend term times to from five to six years, while the next election will be brought forward to 2027.
Mr Bukele, who has been president of the Central American nation since 2019, is a polarising figure. His major crackdown on crime has proved popular among voters, but human rights groups say thousands have been arbitrarily arrested.
"Today, democracy has died in El Salvador," said Marcela Villatoro, an MP with the opposition Republican National Alliance (Arena).
The reform was adopted by Bukele's 57 supporters in the Legislative Assembly, and voted against by only three opposition members. Critics say the move will entrench one-party rule in the country.
"Thank you for making history, fellow deputies," said the president of the Legislative Assembly, Ernesto Castro, from the ruling New Ideas party, after counting the votes.
Bukele, 44, won a second term last year despite a clear prohibition in the country's constitution.
El Salvador's top court, which is filled with Bukele-backed judges, ruled in 2021 that it was the leader's human right to run again.
The overhaul will also shorten the president's current term by two years, to synchronize elections in 2027, as presidential, legislative and municipal elections are currently staggered.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Mebbe ‘cause he is the only one willing to risk assassination 24/7. Try finding anyone in Mehico on that.
Congratulations Bukele.
Gangsters and their NGO backers.
El Salvador is a world leader now. The Salvadorian people recognize it, as well as their well-being having been placed as a priority.
It’s their choice. Legally changing their constitution is what a constitutional republic does.
How long before the left starts calling him Hitler? And how long before the scum bags in the government charge him with fraud and corruption like they did Jair Bolsonaro in order to get rid of him? We’ve seen it in our own country these past 10 years with President Trump.
<>El Salvador’s top court, which is filled with Bukele-backed judges, ruled in 2021 that it was the leader’s human right to run again.<>
Human right? No sale.
No sale? ES doesn’t have to sale anything to us. It’s their ruling and we can pound sand. It was shameful what the US did to ES during the Obama administration when ES tried to get the gang situation under control.
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