El Salvador Congress Approves Indefinite Presidential Reelection, Extends Terms

In July 2025, El Salvador’s legislature, dominated by President Nayib Bukele’s party, approved a constitutional reform that abolishes presidential term limits, extends the presidential term from five to six years, and synchronizes elections for 2027, allowing Bukele to seek indefinite reelection. The reforms passed rapidly with overwhelming support and minimal debate, sparking strong criticism from opposition figures and international observers who warn the changes concentrate power and erode democratic checks and balances. Bukele, who enjoys approval ratings near 90% due to his security policies that have significantly reduced gang violence, defends the reforms as reflecting popular will and enhancing political stability. However, critics, including human rights advocates and constitutional experts, describe the reforms as a legal maneuver toward authoritarianism, undermining democratic institutions and civil liberties. The Organization of American States and other regional entities have expressed profound concern over the weakening of democratic safeguards in El Salvador, which now joins other Central American countries in removing presidential term limits. Despite these controversies, Bukele’s government maintains broad popular support, emphasizing the reforms' potential economic benefits such as electoral cost savings redirected to social programs.