El Salvador and the challenges facing Bukele

The issue of presidential re-election in El Salvador, although silent in recent weeks, became a powder keg on September 16 to the point of explosion after Bukele announced that he would run as a candidate, with some even calling for a “rebellion”. As written in the Magna Carta.

With just under 14 months before Salvadorans return to the polls, this is an unresolved matter that could revive debates about whether or not it is unconstitutional surrounding the president’s aspirations.

However, even with criteria for or against, the investigation published by La Prensa Gráfica presents convincing figures, for example, 61 percent of the 1,520 respondents in the sample believe that re-election should be allowed.

LPG data found that 34.7% of those questioned confirmed that the re-election was legal and 26.7% that it was illegal.

In this regard, in recent months, there has been no shortage of “strange” interpretations of the constitution that in some cases have favored continuity for two successive terms, and in others said that it is possible but in separate periods.

The consultations found that 64.4 percent of those asked support the president’s plan to continue another consecutive term at the head of the country if people decide that at the ballot box.

This opinion is not shared by 17.8% of the population. They are just explanations, but what is remarkable is that 25.9 percent believe that the constitution of the republic should not allow the immediate re-election of the presidency, and 26.7 percent say that the constitution does not allow that.

These ideas, now discontinued, may stir up passions in 2023 when, according to the Supreme Elections Tribunal, the 12 parties that will participate in the February 2024 elections will launch aggressively in search of a seat on the Presidency Council.

Even questions arise about this issue, because, for example, the Magna Carta document stipulates that the presidency can be challenged again, whether by the president or the vice president, as long as their nomination is after “six consecutive months,” according to Articles 152 and 154 of the Constitution.

Recently, a report by Radio Ysuca noted that “the president’s re-election, however unconstitutional, will have reason for the incumbent president to have an ambitious and sustainable plan to significantly improve the living conditions of the majority.”

If Bukele was able to present that image to voters before February 2024, there are many analyzes that give him credit for victory and continuity at the forefront of the country’s destinies.

But to get there, he must make progress and convince voters that he can still deliver on many of his promises, such as the viability of bitcoin, a coastal railroad, an eastern airport, several hospitals, and a redesign of more than 5,000 schools, among others that are still not working. completed.

mim / lb