---
title: "El Salvador's ruling party backs indefinite re-election in constitutional proposal"
description: "El Salvador's ruling party on Thursday put forward a proposal which could drastically overhaul how elections are run in the Central American nation, potentially opening the door for another term from President Nayib Bukele."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-01-el-salvadors-ruling-party-backs-indefinite-re-election-in-constitutional-proposal/"
published: "2025-08-01T04:38:26"
updated: "2025-08-01T04:38:28"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 193
---

# El Salvador's ruling party backs indefinite re-election in constitutional proposal

> El Salvador's ruling party on Thursday put forward a proposal which could drastically overhaul how elections are run in the Central American nation, potentially opening the door for another term from President Nayib Bukele.

By Reuters · Published 1 August 2025, 06:38 SAST · Updated 1 August 2025, 06:38 SAST

## Key points
- In a dazzling display of political acrobatics, El Salvador’s President Bukele is not just bending the rules but is proposing to rewrite the entire constitution to allow for indefinite re-election, proving that when it comes to power, who needs a term limit when you have a friendly Supreme Court?
- El Salvador's President Bukele secured a second term despite a constitutional ban, with the top court ruling in his favor.
- Bukele's party proposed a constitutional amendment for indefinite presidential re-election, extending terms to six years and eliminating run-offs.
- Initially dismissing the need for reform, Bukele now faces questions about a potential third term amid changing electoral rules.
- The amendment aims to synchronize elections in 2027, consolidating votes to potentially benefit parties with broad support in a single cycle.

## Content

Bukele won a second term last year despite a constitutional ban on re-election. El Salvador's top court, filled with Bukele-backed judges, had ruled that it was the leader's human right to run again.

The constitutional amendment sent on Thursday by Bukele's New Ideas party, which dominates Congress, would allow indefinite presidential re-election, extend terms from five years to six and scrap run-offs.

After his re-election last year, Bukele had told reporters he "didn't think a constitutional reform would be necessary," but evaded questions on whether he would try to run for a third term.

The proposal would also shorten the president's current term to synchronize elections in 2027, as presidential, legislative and municipal elections are currently staggered.

Consolidating the votes would likely favor a party that performs well across the board in a single election cycle.

"This is quite simple, El Salvador: only you will have the power to decide how long you wish to support the work of any public official, including your president," said lawmaker Ana Figueroa. "You have the power to decide how long you support your president and all elected officials."

(Reporting by Nelson Renteria; Editing by Natalia Siniawski)