In a surprising turn of events, the deputies of President Nayib Bukele’s party, Nuevas Ideas, cheered and celebrated on April 29 after approving a reform to article 248 of the Constitution. This allows for expedited modifications to the Fundamental Charter, which has been in place since 1983. The new legislature, starting on May 1, will only need to ratify the decision made. This paves the way for changes in how El Salvador is governed and potentially opens the door to indefinite re-election for Bukele.
The reform of article 248 was not initially on the agenda of the last session of the outgoing legislature. However, Nuevas Ideas deputies interrupted the session to make this modification. This mechanism of approving laws without consultation has been frequently used by Bukele’s government to achieve its goals. This change breaks a central lock in the Constitution that safeguarded the balance of powers and made it challenging to modify the Constitution.
The Constitutional Chamber’s jurisprudence was violated by not presenting these changes to citizens during recent electoral campaigns. This constitutional reform will allow changes to be made in a single legislature with a three-quarters majority. With nearly all seats in Parliament now held by Nuevas Ideas, Bukele will have unlimited power over constitution changes.
Critics have accused Nuevas Ideas and its leader Bukele of self-seeking power and removing limits on power through this change to the Constitution. The opposition has raised concerns about rapid changes being made without proper consideration or transparency. By allowing for possible indefinite re-election, this modification has shifted El Salvador’s political landscape significantly.
The repercussions of this move remain uncertain as it opens up new possibilities for future elections and governance models in El Salvador.
