El Salvador’s legislature has passed major constitutional reforms that allow indefinite presidential re-election, clearing the way for President Nayib Bukele to remain in power beyond his current term.
The Legislative Assembly approved a package of five amendments in a 57–3 vote, backed by Bukele’s New Ideas party and its allies. The reforms extend the presidential term from five to six years and eliminate run-off voting in presidential elections.
New Ideas lawmaker Ana Figueroa also proposed ending Bukele’s current term two years early to synchronize presidential and congressional elections. If approved, his term would conclude on June 1, 2027, instead of June 1, 2029.
Critics argue that the reforms consolidate executive power and pose a threat to democratic checks and balances by removing longstanding term limits.
Figueroa defended the changes as fiscally responsible, noting that eliminating run-offs could save the government around $50 million per election—funds she said could be used to build new hospitals and schools.
Opponents say democracy is dying
Opposition lawmaker Marcela Villatoro of the Nationalist Republican Alliance was one of only three legislators who voted against the constitutional reforms. She reportedly called the vote “the death of democracy in El Salvador,” warning that indefinite re-election leads to the concentration of power and undermines democratic institutions.
“You don’t realize what indefinite reelection brings: It brings an accumulation of power and weakens democracy … there’s corruption and clientelism because nepotism grows and halts democracy and political participation,” Villatoro said, according to the Associated Press.
In contrast, Suecy Callejas, First Vice President of the Legislative Assembly and a member of Bukele’s New Ideas party, defended the changes, saying, “Power has returned to the only place that it truly belongs … to the Salvadoran people.”
The constitutional overhaul comes amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding in El Salvador. In June, Bukele’s administration faced criticism for detaining a lawyer known for opposing the president, drawing concern from human rights advocates. That same month, another human rights lawyer was sentenced to six months in pre-trial detention.
Despite international concerns, Bukele remains highly popular at home. A recent survey by the University of El Salvador’s Public Opinion Laboratory showed over 78% approval of his performance in the first year of his second term. Another poll by Iudop-UCA gave him a score of 8.15 out of 10 for his sixth year in office.
Bitcoin policy draws mixed reviews
The constitutional reforms come at a time when El Salvador’s international reputation remains divided, especially over its economic policies and ongoing embrace of Bitcoin.
Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that El Salvador has not made any Bitcoin purchases since agreeing to a $1.4 billion loan deal in December 2024, which included a commitment to scale back on Bitcoin investments.
However, that claim conflicts with statements from El Salvador’s official Bitcoin Office, which maintains the country continues to purchase one Bitcoin per day. A report from June 16 indicates El Salvador acquired 240 BTC after the IMF agreement was signed.
According to the Bitcoin Office, El Salvador currently holds 6,255.18 BTC, with the reserve increasing by 31 BTC over the past 30 days.
Meanwhile, the country has expanded its regional crypto initiatives, recently signing a memorandum of understanding with Bolivia’s largest bank to help develop Bolivia’s crypto infrastructure and strengthen its digital asset policies.
