El Salvador electoral tribunal green lights Bukele's re-election bid

The candidacy of President Nayib Bukele for next year’s presidential election in El Salvador has been approved by the electoral tribunal. If reelected, Bukele would serve a second term until 2029. The decision comes a week after the 42-year-old president formally filed his candidacy, but concerns over his eligibility to seek a consecutive term have been raised.

The members of the electoral tribunal, who approved Bukele’s candidacy, are elected by Congress, which is controlled by his New Ideas party.

Despite doubts about Bukele’s ability to run for a second term due to a constitutional prohibition, the country’s top court has ruled in favor of his candidacy in 2021. It is worth mentioning that the judges on the court were appointed by Congress.

The confirmation of Bukele’s candidacy has generated criticism from his critics. They question his constitutional eligibility and express concerns about the concentration of power within his party and its influence on the electoral process.

President Bukele has gained popularity among sections of the population for his strongman style of governance, implemented with bold measures such as the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender. However, his opponents fear that a second term could lead to further consolidation of power and erosion of democratic institutions.

The incumbent president’s party, New Ideas, has been accused of undermining the independence of the judiciary and the electoral authorities in its pursuit of consolidating power. Critics argue that this compromises the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

These concerns have ignited a debate about the need to strengthen democratic checks and balances in El Salvador to ensure the proper functioning of institutions and protect democracy.

It remains to be seen how the approval of Bukele’s candidacy for a second term will affect the political landscape in El Salvador and the upcoming presidential election.

Reporting by Gerardo Arbaiza; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Isabel Woodford