El Salvador Abolishes Presidential Term Limits, Enables Bukele's Indefinite Rule

El Salvador’s legislative body, controlled by President Nayib Bukele’s New Ideas party, has passed a constitutional reform that removes presidential term limits and allows Bukele to remain in office indefinitely[1]. Approved on July 24, 2025, the reform also extends the presidential term from five to six years and moves the next election from 2029 to 2027, aligning it with congressional elections[2]. The changes have transformed El Salvador’s political structure, eliminating a key constitutional check on executive power and reducing the frequency of elections.

The reforms were passed with minimal legislative opposition, with only three lawmakers voting against the package, including Marcela Villatoro of the Nationalist Republican Alliance. Critics argue that the move centralizes power in the executive branch and undermines democratic norms. Villatoro described the vote as the “death of democracy in El Salvador,” warning that the reforms would encourage corruption, nepotism, and weaken political participation[3]. On the other hand, Suecy Callejas, a New Ideas party member and First Vice President of the Legislative Assembly, defended the changes, claiming they return power to the “Salvadoran people”[4].

The reforms are part of a broader strategy by Bukele to consolidate his political influence, a trend that includes the detention of critics and the restructuring of the electoral and judicial systems[5]. Despite international criticism, Bukele remains widely popular domestically. Recent surveys show that more than 78% of respondents approve of his governance in his second term, with an average rating of 8.15 out of 10 in a separate poll[6].

The constitutional changes have drawn global attention, particularly as El Salvador becomes one of the few Latin American countries to allow indefinite re-election. While some analysts argue the reforms could bring stability to a historically unstable country, others warn of the risks of weakening democratic institutions and reducing political pluralism. The speed and lack of public debate in passing the reforms have further fueled concerns over transparency and legislative oversight.

As the new framework takes effect, the focus will shift to whether it leads to greater governance continuity or increased polarization. The international community is closely watching developments, especially as Bukele’s administration continues to implement policies that reinforce its control over key institutions and public discourse.

Source:

[1] BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd04q87zryo

[2] CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/americas/el-salvador-presidential-term-change-intl-hnk

[3] The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/01/bukele-el-salvador-president-constitution-power/

[4] France 24, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250801-el-salvador-abolishes-presidential-term-limits-allowing-another-bukele-run

[5] Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/el-salvador-scraps-presidential-term-limits-opening-door-another-bukele-term-2025-07-31/

[6] Cointelegraph, https://cointelegraph.com/news/el-salvador-lawmakers-approve-indefinite-presidential-reelection