“The coolest dictator in the world” obtained the right to run for an indefinite presidency: “Today, democracy has died”

The ruling party in El Salvador on Thursday adopted a law that reforms how elections are organized in this country in Central America, thus opening the way for President Nayib Bukele, nicknamed the “most cool dictator in the world”, to stay in power, the Reuters Agency reports on Friday.

Bukele won a second term last year, despite a clear prohibition provided in the country's constitution. But the Constitutional Court of El Salvador, made up of judges supported by Bukes, decided in 2021 that the leader's right to apply again is a fundamental right of man.

The constitutional amendment adopted on Thursday by Bukele's “new ideas” party, which dominates the Congress, will allow the president to be re -elected, will expand the duration of five to six years and will eliminate the second round.

After his re-election last year, Bukele told journalists that “he does not think a constitutional reform will be necessary”, but avoided answering if he intends to run for a third term.

The draft law was adopted with 57 votes for and 3 against, while the Congress is preparing to enter the parliamentary vacation.

El Salvador will organize all choices at the same time

The reform will also shorten the current mandate of the president to synchronize all the elections in 2027, because, at present, the presidential, legislative and municipal elections are organized at different times.

The unification of the electoral calendar would most likely benefit the ruling party on all levels.

“It is very simple, El Salvador: only you will have the power to decide how long you want to support any civil servant, including your president,” said Ana Figueroa, deputy new ideas and the author of the amendment to amend the Constitution. “You have the power to decide how long you support your president and all your elected officials,” she said.

The few parliamentarians who are not part of the ruling party have opposed the proposal, expressing fears that it will lead to the establishment of a single party regime.

“Today, democracy has died in El Salvador,” said Marcela Villatoro, deputy from the opposition represented by the National Republican Alliance (Arena).

Bukele enjoy the support of the inhabitants of El Salvador

Bukes remains one of the most popular leaders in the region, largely due to the harsh repression against criminal gangs, which has led to a marked decrease in homicides – despite the protests by human rights organizations, who claim that innocent persons have been caught in this repressive campaign.

“The day before the holiday, without debate, without informing the public, through a single legislative vote, they changed the political system to allow the president to perpetuate himself in unlimited power, and we continue to follow the beaten path of autocrats,” said Noah Bullock, executive director of the human rights organization.

The organization recently left El Salvador, declaring himself in exile because of Bukele's steps to strengthen his control over power and to suppress critical voices and humanitarian organizations.

The Bukele enjoys the support of the Trump administration instead, accepting the US to expel Salvador illegal migrants from third countries.