In a decisive move, El Salvador’s Congress has ratified a significant constitutional reform, streamlining the process of amending the nation's constitution. This pivotal change, approved on Wednesday, promises to accelerate future amendments, sparking concerns about potential power consolidation by President Nayib Bukele and his New Ideas party.
Under the previous system, constitutional reforms required approval in two separate legislative sessions, punctuated by congressional elections. The process reached its final phase with Wednesday's ratification, a culmination of initial approval by the outgoing legislature back in April. The updated procedure now permits reforms with the endorsement of three-quarters of lawmakers, which fits comfortably within New Ideas' control of 54 out of 60 seats, supplemented by three allied seats.
Christian Guevara, the leader of New Ideas in Congress, highlighted plans to leverage the expedited reform capability to abolish public campaign financing. Under the current system, political parties receive government funds contingent upon their electoral performance, with an obligation to return funds if they underperform—a mechanism that could soon be eliminated.
Opposition voices, like Cesia Rivas from the Vamos party, labeled the reform strategy as a veiled attempt to centralize political power. Eduardo Escobar, director of Citizen Action, a civic group, expressed concerns that New Ideas’ dominant position could lead to sweeping changes across various constitutional domains.
Besides the constitutional reforms, the Congress extended an existing state of emergency, initially implemented to combat rampant street gang violence. This extension, which suspends certain fundamental rights such as legal counsel and justified arrests, will persist for another month to bolster the administration’s anti-gang efforts.
Further legislative actions included making the acceptance of cryptocurrency by businesses a voluntary choice—a nod to requests from the International Monetary Fund. This adjustment complements the nation's landmark decision to embrace Bitcoin as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar in 2021, a bold move championed by President Bukele.
The shifting political and economic landscape in El Salvador aligns with Bukele's rising rapport with international figures, including perceived connections to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The forthcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to El Salvador highlights ongoing international diplomatic engagements amid these sweeping domestic changes.
These developments mark a critical juncture for El Salvador, as the nation navigates not only internal reforms but also its position on the global stage. The implications of these reformations signal an era of rapid transformation for the country, where legislative efficiency may continually redefine governance dynamics.
