El Salvador’s Push for Indefinite Presidential Re-Election Threatens Democratic Norms

In a bold move that raises troubling questions about the erosion of democratic principles in Central America, El Salvador’s ruling party, Nuevas Ideas, has proposed a sweeping constitutional reform to enable indefinite presidential re-election. This proposal, spearheaded by President Nayib Bukele’s majority coalition in the Legislative Assembly, seeks to alter key articles of the Salvadoran Constitution that currently prohibit immediate presidential re-election. While proponents frame this change as empowering voters to decide "how long they wish to support any public official," the reality is more complex—and concerning. Historically, El Salvador barred consecutive presidential terms precisely to prevent power concentration and...