The El Salvador president, Nayib Bukele, must step down as president if he is willing to run for another term.
A landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of El Salvador has opened the possibility of a second presidential term for Nayib Bukele. This allows him to serve a maximum of two terms within a ten-year period, but crucially, he cannot hold the presidency and campaign simultaneously. If he decides to run for another term, he must step down from the presidency.
Political Frameworks For El Salvador President
This provision is designed to prevent the misuse of state resources for campaign purposes, a common issue in many democracies.
Bukele’s Future Term
In recent weeks, the Salvadoran media has been abuzz with speculation about President Nayib Bukele’s potential bid for a second term in office. This development hinges on an important legal framework and has significant implications, especially for El Salvador’s groundbreaking Bitcoin project.
Notably, Bukele has not yet registered as a candidate for the upcoming elections and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal has set a strict deadline of October 26, 2023. In a recent press conference, Bukele announced his plans to register as a candidate by October 24, before the deadline and in compliance with the law. However, it remains uncertain whether he will step down before registering or not.
Bukele currently has two options: to resign from the presidency before the deadline and register as a candidate, or to register as a candidate while still in office by the deadline and step down later, provided he doesn’t run any campaigns until he resigns.
Implications for El Salvador
This development has far-reaching implications, particularly for El Salvador’s Bitcoin project, a flagship initiative of Bukele’s administration. Moreover, it holds paramount importance for Salvadorans, who have experienced notable gains in security and overall financial growth in their country. The upcoming elections, scheduled for February 4, 2024, will shape the nation’s future trajectory.
Related reading: Bitcoin Adoption is Driving the Rebirth of El Salvador: Vice President
President Bukele enjoys a staggering approval rating of over 90%, making him the clear frontrunner in the upcoming elections. However, there is dissent regarding his bid for a second term, with detractors and political opposition arguing that the court ruling enabling his candidacy is unconstitutional.
This political landscape shift in El Salvador, with the Supreme Court ruling and electoral deadlines, will have far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. As the nation stands on the brink of this historic juncture, the world watches closely, especially in the context of El Salvador’s role as a leader in Bitcoin adoption.
