El Salvador’s legislature passed sweeping constitutional reforms, eliminating run-off elections and extending presidential terms, through a decisive 57-3 vote orchestrated by President Nayib Bukele’s New Ideas party. The changes unfold against persistent warnings from critics who cite risks of democratic backsliding, though supporters counter that they streamline governance and reflect popular will.
President Bukele retains robust domestic approval, with recent surveys indicating over 78% public support and an 8.15/10 performance rating. The constitutional overhaul includes fiscal benefits, with elimination of run-offs projected to save $50 million per electoral cycle—resources the government proposes diverting to public services like healthcare and education.
Concurrently, El Salvador reinforces its pioneering Bitcoin strategy, accumulating 6,255 BTC in national reserves. While the IMF reports no recent purchases, the nation signed a memorandum with Bolivia to advance shared cryptocurrency infrastructure development. This dual-track approach underscores continuity in Bukele’s economic agenda despite political restructuring.