Nayib Bukele Breaks the Rules Again: Quiet Death of Democracy in El Salvador

In a quick and contentious move, El Salvador’s governing party has approved sweeping reforms to its election law. The constitutional reform, driven by President Nayib Bukele’s New Ideas party, will now enable unlimited re-election of the president. It also lengthens terms to six years from five and eliminates runoff elections.

The measure was approved 57-3 in the legislature dominated by Bukele’s supporters. It truncates the existing presidential term to align national elections in 2027, a move set to favour the ruling party. Critics describe this as the end of democracy in the nation. Human rights groups cry out against creeping authoritarianism, particularly as Bukele had already disregarded the constitution once to get another term.

Constitution Overridden to Secure Nayib Bukele Power

The Salvadoran Constitution had previously prohibited consecutive re-election. But in 2021, the nation’s supreme court—packed with Bukele-supported judges—ruled that seeking another term was his “human right.” That paved the way for Bukele’s re-election in 2024.

Now, the new legislation makes that violation official. It gives any president a chance to remain in office forever, without the necessity of a constitutional reform process. It also rewrites the nation’s political rules without public mandate or wide support.

Opposition Sounds Alarm on One-Party Rule

Just three legislators opposed the bill. Opposition leaders characterized the vote as hasty and secretive. “Today, democracy died in El Salvador,” said ARENA legislator Marcela Villatoro. Rights activists concurred.

Noah Bullock, director of Cristosal, which recently announced it was going into exile from political pressure, labelled the amendment a typical tactic by autocrats. “Without debate, without notification to the public, they altered the political system to enable the president to maintain himself in power,” he stated.

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Popular Support vs Democratic Backsliding

Nayib Bukele is still one of Latin America’s most popular politicians. His hard-line attack on gangs has sharply dropped homicides. The hard line receives public support.

But human rights activists have chronicled arbitrary detentions and mistreatment. Innocent civilians are being caught in the crossfire, they allege, of Bukele’s crusade against crime. His popularity, they caution, cannot be taken as democratic legitimacy.

Regional Ripple Effects in El Salvador

Nayib Bukele’s action may embolden similar power seizures throughout Central America. While Latin America struggles with economic woes and gang wars, strongmen tend to find backing by offering stability through authoritarian means.

El Salvador’s breakdown of institutional checks may serve as a risky precedent. It might encourage other officials to short-circuit democratic conventions in a quest to install themselves as long-term rulers.

Elections Without Choice

With the political schedule now realigned and voices of opposition pushed to the margins, El Salvador may maybe bound for one-party rule. Bukele asserts the public will choose how long to back leaders.

But with diminished checks and a judiciary aligned to the president, few question whether any genuine choice remains. The silent erosion of democracy seldom declares itself. In El Salvador, it has come in the guise of reform.