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.
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.
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.
