New Political Reform in El Salvador: One Step Closer to a More Adaptable Constitution

The outgoing Legislative Assembly passed a constitutional reform that allows the incoming legislature to make changes to the Constitution quickly. With 66 votes in favor and 16 votes against, Article 248 of the Constitution was reformed to allow for changes within the same legislature with the vote of three-quarters of elected deputies. This change has been hailed as a significant step towards adapting to the evolving social realities that Salvadorans are facing.

The new legislature that begins on May 1 has only 60 deputies, down from the previous 84. The ruling party, New Ideas, and its allies will have the majority of seats in this new assembly. However, there are concerns about the unlimited power of the Legislative Assembly and its potential impact on citizen rights and political power in the country.

Speculation has been rife about potential constitutional reforms, including allowing for the indefinite reelection of the president, extending terms for deputies and mayors, and other changes related to political financing and electoral processes. While proponents argue that these changes are necessary to adapt to changing social realities, opponents have raised concerns about their impact on legal security in the country.

Despite these concerns, it is clear that this constitutional reform is a significant step towards modernizing El Salvador’s political system and ensuring that it remains relevant in an ever-changing world.