The Salvadoran Constitutional Court undermines democracy and makes country slide towards a more authoritarian future.
El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on November 3rd ruled President Nayib Bukele can run for reelection next year, even though the country’s Constitution technically prohibits it.
It confirms RLI’s July forecast of Salvadoran President’s intention to run for president again in 2024.
More on this story: El Salvador risks to move towards a more authoritarian future
Such decision contravenes the Constitution. The Bukele administration has taken over the judiciary by appointing its own judges. He formalized his candidacy alongside the Salvadoran Vice President, Félix Ulloa, at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) headquarters, representing the Nuevas Ideas party
El Salvador’s Constitution prohibits reelection, but in 2021, the country’s Supreme Court of Justice handed down an interpretation of a particular article which enables Bukele to run again. In their ruling they determined the question of reelection was for Salvadorans to decide at the ballot box.
The Legislative Assembly unconstitutionally modified the judiciary laws and ordered the retirement of magistrates over 60 years of age or with more than 30 years of service, with the argument of eradicating corruption. However, age or time of service have no direct relation with corruption.
The National Assembly, dominated by Bukele allies, have moved quickly to weaken checks and balances, undermine the rule of law, and co-opt the country’s judiciary, consolidating power in the executive.
More on this story: El Salvador follows Nicaragua’s path and slides into authoritarianism
The decision comes one week after the popular Salvadoran president registered to run with the New Ideas party even before Supreme Electoral Tribunal decision. Electoral authorities approved Bukele’s reelection bid by four votes to none, with one abstention. Thus, despite the constitutional prohibition of standing for a second term, the country’s constitutional court has left the door open to reelection based on resolution that an incumbent president can opt to resign six months before the elections and then stands for elections.
Officials also voted unanimously in favor of the candidacy of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front — an old-guard leftist party formed of ex-guerillas from El Salvador’s civil war.
Recent polling indicated a clear and heavy advantage for Bukele as he seeks reelection. Nearly 70% of Salvadorans favor popular President Nayib Bukele’s bid for a second term. With a significant majority of voters supporting Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas party, his reelection is highly anticipated.His administration’s crackdown on gangs is widely popular as it has significantly curbed crime rates, despite a suspension of some constitutional rights under a state of emergency that has now been in place for more than 1 1/2 years.
